Fire ants have invaded much of the southern United States and, as a result, horned lizards have disappeared in invaded areas, because the fire ants, which sting aggressively, kill the young lizards and eliminate the harvester ants that are the lizards’ primary food. Populations of horned lizards have declined even in those southern localities that as yet remain free of fire ants, but ecologists believe that decline is also attributable to the southern states’ invasion by fire ants?
Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest justification for the ecologists’ belief?

Question

Examsnet · Accepted Answer

Correct Answer is :  Colonies of harvester ants in areas that had previously been free of fire ants are neither physically nor behaviorally equipped to withstand an attack by invading fire ants

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Test 7