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Question

Difficulty: EasyEcology and Environment

In an African savanna ecosystem, zebras feed directly on grasses and flowering plants. Which trophic role do zebras occupy in this food web?

  1. A
    Secondary consumers
  2. Primary consumersAnswer
  3. C
    Primary producers
  4. D
    Tertiary consumers

Answer

Primary consumers
In any food chain, green plants that create their own energy via photosynthesis are primary producers. Organisms that consume these producers are herbivores, which occupy the primary consumer tier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the diet and energy source of the organism described in the question.
Zebras feed directly on vegetation (grasses and plants), making them herbivores.
Categorizing an organism's feeding relationship determines its position along the food chain.
2
Map the herbivore feeding role to its corresponding trophic level.
Herbivores that feed directly on autotrophic producers occupy the primary consumer level.
In ecological trophic pyramids, organisms that obtain energy directly from primary producers are defined as primary consumers.

Key Concept

Trophic levels and consumer roles in ecological food webs
Estimated Time:35s
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Topics

Ecology and Environment

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