A student sets up an aquatic microcosm with the predator Didinium and the prey Paramecium. Population sizes are sampled every 2 days. The data show oscillating population cycles, with Paramecium peaks slightly preceding Didinium peaks.
Which interpretation is best supported?
- A
Prey populations are independent of predators
- B
Predators and prey peak simultaneously
- C
Predators always outnumber prey
- Dcheck_circle
Prey abundance drives subsequent predator increase, generating coupled oscillations
Explanation
Lotka-Volterra dynamics predict that prey peaks precede predator peaks: high prey support predator growth, then predators reduce prey, predators decline, prey rebound. This produces coupled, lagged oscillations.