A species of ant, Odontomachus bauri, has a trap jaw that shuts quickly. This jaw system evolved from basic mouth parts that all ants have, but the the joint is a different shape, jaw is longer, and there are larger muscles. Which of the following statements best explains why this trap-jaw trait evolvedA. The trap jaw increases the ants' body mass. B. The trap jaw allows the ants to eat only one kind of food. C. The trap jaw is the ants' only means of species recognition. D. The trap jaw increases the ants' chances of survival and reproduction.

Question

Howell

Biology

13 March, 21:14

A species of ant, Odontomachus bauri, has a trap jaw that shuts quickly. This jaw system evolved from basic mouth parts that all ants have, but the the joint is a different shape, jaw is longer, and there are larger muscles. Which of the following statements best explains why this trap-jaw trait evolvedA. The trap jaw increases the ants' body mass. B. The trap jaw allows the ants to eat only one kind of food. C. The trap jaw is the ants' only means of species recognition. D. The trap jaw increases the ants' chances of survival and reproduction.

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Answers (1)

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Ryan Barron · Answer 1

D. The trap jaw increases the ants' chances of survival and reproduction.

Explanation:

The trap jaw of the species of ant called Odontomachus bauri, has a trap jaw which is very fast and powerful. The jaw system evolved from basic mouth parts that all ants have with then exception of the shape which is longer with larger muscles.

This evolutionary change made the ant kill prey and increase its chances of survival and subsequent reproduction when it's alive.