Most ecologists believe that ancient populations of chipmunks diverged genetically when is
The word "diverged" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.declined
B.competed
C.progressed
D.separated
The word "diverged" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.declined
B.competed
C.progressed
D.separated
第1题
There are eight chipmunk species in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and most of them look pretty much alike. But eight different species of chipmunks scurrying around a picnic area will not be found. Nowhere in the Sierra do all eight species occur together. Each species tends strongly to occupy a specific habitat type, within an elevational range, and the overlap among them is minimal. The eight chipmunk species of the Sierra Nevada represent but a few of the 15 species found in western North America, yet the whole of eastern North America makes do with but one species: the Eastern chipmunk. Why are there so many very similar chipmunks in the West? The presence of tall mountains interspersed with vast areas of arid desert and grassland makes the West ecologically far different from the East. The West affords much more opportunity for chipmunk populations to become geographically isolated from one another, a condition of species formation. Also, there are more extremes in western habitats. In the Sierra Nevada, high elevations are close to low elevations, at least in terms of mileage, but ecologically they are very different. Most ecologists believe that ancient populations of chipmunks diverged genetically when isolated from one another by mountains and unfavorable ecological habitat. These scattered populations first evolved into races—adapted to the local ecological conditions—and then into species, reproductively isolated from one another. This period of evolution was relatively recent, as evidenced by the similar appearance of all the western chipmunk species. Ecologists have studied the four chipmunk species that occur on the eastern slope of the Sierra and have learned just how these species interact while remaining separate, each occupying its own elevational zone. The sagebrush chipmunk is found at the lowest elevation, among the sagebrush. The yellow pine chipmunk is common in low to mid-elevations and open conifer forests, including pinon and ponderosa and Jeffrey pine forests. The lodgepole chipmunk is found at higher elevations, among the lodgepoles, firs, and high-elevation pines. The alpine chipmunk is higher still, venturing among the talus slopes, alpine meadows, and high-elevation pines and junipers. Obviously, the ranges of each species overlap. Why dont sagebrush chipmunks move into the pine zones? Why dont alpine chipmunks move to lower elevations and share the conifer forests with lodgepole chipmunks? The answer, in one word, is aggression. Chipmunk species actively defend their ecological zones from encroachment by neighboring species. The yellow pine chipmunk is more aggressive than the sagebrush chipmunk, possibly because it is a bit larger. It successfully bullies its smaller evolutionary cousin, excluding it from the pine forests. Experiments have shown that the sagebrush chipmunk is physiologically able to live anywhere in the Sierra Nevada, from high alpine zones to the desert. The little creature is apparently restricted to the desert not because it is specialized to live only there but because that is the only habitat where none of the other chipmunk species can live. The fact that sagebrush chipmunks tolerate very warm temperatures makes them, and only them, able to live where they do. The sagebrush chipmunk essentially occupies its habitat by default. In one study, ecologists established that yellow pine chipmunks actively exclude sagebrush chipmunks from pine forests; the ecologists simply trapped all the yellow pine chipmunks in a section of forest and moved them out. Sagebrush chipmunks immediately moved in, but yellow pine chipmunks did not enter sagebrush desert when sagebrush chipmunks were removed. The most aggressive of the four eastern-slope species is the lodgepole chipmunk, a feisty rodent indeed. It actively prevents alpine chipmunks from moving downslope, and yellow pine chipmunks from moving upslope. There is logic behind the lodge-poles aggressive demeanor. It lives in the cool, shaded conifer forests, and of the four species, it is the least able to tolerate heat stress. It is, in other words, the species of the strictest habitat needs: it simply must be in those shaded forests. However, if it shared its habitat with alpine and yellow pine chipmunks, either or both of these species might outcompete it, taking most of the available food. Such a competition could effectively eliminate lodgepole chipmunks from the habitat. Lodgepoles survive only by virtue of their aggression. Directions: Now answer the questions. There are eight chipmunk species in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and most of them look pretty much alike. But eight different species of chipmunks scurrying around a picnic area will not be found. Nowhere in the Sierra do all eight species occur together. Each species tends strongly to occupy a specific habitat type, within an elevational range, and the overlap among them is minimal.
Why does the author mention a "picnic area" in paragraph 1?
A.To identify a site where a variety of different species of chipmunks can be seen
B.To support the point that each species of chipmunk inhabits a distinct location
C.To emphasize the idea that all species of chipmunks have a similar appearance
D.To provide an example of a location to which chipmunks are likely to scurry for food
第2题
In paragraph 5, why does the author mention green ash trees and plains cottonwood trees?
A.To support the current view about how ecological communities develop
B.To provide an example of species that prefer to live on floodplains
C.To provide evidence that supports the theory of Clements
D.To show where one ecological community stops and the other begins
第3题
A.We should remember that a package is often a form. of advertisement.
B.We should believe that a package is dependable.
C.The package has nothing to do with the product.
D.The package is very important when we decide to buy a product.
第4题
The main task now facing ecologists, environmental activists and conservationists is ______.
A.to prevent pollution by legislation, economic incentives and persuasion
B.to arouse public awareness of the importance of environmental protection
C.to take radical measures to control environmental pollution
D.to improve the quality of life by enforcing environmental standards
第5题
A.Legislation and government intervention.
B.The industry's understanding and support.
C.The efforts of environmental health professionals.
D.The cooperation of ecologists, environmental activists and conservationists.
第6题
A.to prevent pollution by legislation, economic incentives and persuasion
B.to arouse public awareness of the importance of environmental protection
C.to take radical measures to control environmental pollution
D.to improve the quality of life by enforcing environmental standards
第7题
According to Schwartz, what can help people know more about climate change?
A.Taking a course on phenology.
B.Knowledge of life cycle events of plants and animals.
C.Efforts of ecologists to learn more about plant flowering.
D.Full support of citizen scientists to study climate changes.
第8题
A.Legislation and government intervention.
B.The industry"s understanding and support.
C.The efforts of environmental health professionals.
D.The cooperation of ecologists, environmental activists and conservationists.
第9题
A.to prevent pollution by legislation, economic incentives and persuasion
B.to arouse public awareness of the importance of environmental protection
C.to take radical measures to control environmental pollution
D.to improve the quality of life by enforcing environmental standards
第10题
The word "encroachment" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.complete destruction
B.gradual invasion
C.excessive development
D.substitution