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Difficulty: HardEcology and Environment

In an arid desert ecosystem, shrubs produce seeds consumed by harvester ants. Horned lizards feed on these ants, and red-tailed hawks prey on the lizards. Which organism occupies the secondary consumer trophic level?

  1. A
    Harvester ant
  2. Horned lizardAnswer
  3. C
    Red-tailed hawk
  4. D
    Desert shrub

Answer

Horned lizard
In ecological energy pyramids, primary producers (desert shrubs) occupy the first trophic level. Herbivores consuming those producers (harvester ants) are primary consumers in the second trophic level. Carnivores that prey on primary consumers (horned lizards) are secondary consumers in the third trophic level.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary producer that synthesizes organic matter from solar energy.
The desert shrub is the autotroph that forms the base (first trophic level) of the chain.
Producers capture sunlight and do not consume other living organisms.
2
Determine the primary consumer (herbivore/granivore) feeding directly on the producer.
The harvester ant consumes the seeds of the shrub, occupying the second trophic level (primary consumer).
Organisms that feed on producers are classified as primary consumers.
3
Identify the organism that feeds on the primary consumer.
The horned lizard preys on the harvester ants, occupying the third trophic level (secondary consumer).
Carnivores that consume primary consumers represent secondary consumers.

Key Concept

Trophic Levels and Consumer Roles in Ecosystems
Estimated Time:35s
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Topics

Ecology and Environment

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