Quiz On Epifauna and Infauna

Quiz on epifauna and infauna 1. Where are epifauna typically found in aquatic environments? A. In shallower waters or stable substrates B. At the water's surface exclusively C. In deeper waters with unstable substrates D. In areas with high sediment movement Answer: In shallower waters or stable substrates (A) Epifauna generally thrive in shallower waters where the substrate is stable and accessible. 2. What role do epifaunal organisms play in relation to infaunal organisms? A. They are always predators of infaunal organisms. B. They provide habitat and food for infaunal organisms. C. They primarily compete for the same resources. D. They have no impact on infaunal organisms. Answer: They provide habitat and food for infaunal organisms. (B) Epifaunal organisms can create habitats and provide food sources for infaunal species. 3. How can infaunal deposit feeders impact the ecosystem? A. By exclusively feeding on epifauna. B. By reducing competition among infauna. C. By altering substrate structure. D. By migrating to shallower waters. Answer: By altering substrate structure. (C) 2 Infaunal deposit feeders may change the substrate structure, which affects the habitats of both epifauna and other infauna. 4. What effect does competition between epifauna and infauna have on an ecosystem? A. It results in a decrease in species diversity. B. It diverts resources exclusively to epifauna. C. It contributes to ecological balance and community structure. D. It leads to an imbalance by favoring infauna. Answer: It contributes to ecological balance and community structure. (C) Competition among both groups helps maintain ecological balance and influences community structure. 5. What is a common interaction between epifauna and infauna? A. They exclusively compete for surface nutrients. B. Only epifauna engage in feeding; infauna do not. C. They inhabit completely separate areas with no interaction. D. They can engage in predator-prey dynamics. Answer: They can engage in predator-prey dynamics. (D) Both epifauna and infauna can interact in significant ways, including as either prey or predators. 6. What is the primary difference in location between epifauna and infauna? A. Epifauna lives within the substrate while infauna lives on the surface. B. Epifauna lives in deep waters while infauna is found on land. C. Epifauna resides on the surface of a substrate while infauna lives within the substrate. D. Epifauna is found in freshwater while infauna is exclusive to marine environments. 3 Answer: Epifauna resides on the surface of a substrate while infauna lives within the substrate. (C) The key distinction lies in that epifauna lives on the surface while infauna lives within the substrate. 7. Which adaptations are primarily found in epifaunal organisms? A. Gills for breathing underwater . B. Camouflage for predators avoiding. C. Specialized claws and holdfasts for attachment. D. Burrowing structures for sediment navigation. Answer: Specialized claws and holdfasts for attachment. (C) Epifauna often develop adaptations for attachment, such as specialized claws or holdfasts. 8. Which of the following organisms is an example of infauna? A. Clams B. Barnacles C. Corals D. Mussels Answer: Clams (A) Clams are an example of infaunal organisms that live within sediments. 9. What ecological role do epifaunal organisms play in their habitats? A. They stabilize sediment against erosion. B. They primarily consume sediment. C. They provide food and habitat for other organisms. D. They actively hunt smaller fish. 4 Answer: They provide food and habitat for other organisms. (C) Epifaunal organisms play vital roles by providing food, shelter, or habitat for other organisms. 10. Which of the following statements best describes infaunal organisms? A. They have adaptations for burrowing and live within the substrate. B. They predominantly rely on photosynthesis for energy. C. They are unaffected by environmental conditions. D. They primarily reside in open water environments. Answer: They have adaptations for burrowing and live within the substrate. (A) Infaunal organisms are specialized for living within the substrate and have adaptations for burrowing. 11. How do feeding strategies differ between epifauna and infauna? A. Epifauna only grazes while infauna exclusively filter feeds. B. Both epifauna and infauna only deposit feed. C. Epifauna consumes more organic matter than infauna. D. Epifauna primarily filters food while infauna can deposit feed, filter feed, or actively hunt. Answer: Epifauna primarily filters food while infauna can deposit feed,filter feed, or actively hunt. (D) Epifauna may filter or graze, while infauna has several feeding strategies including deposit feeding. 12. Why is the presence of infauna often considered a sign of good water quality? A. Infauna can thrive in polluted environments. B. Infauna reproduce quickly without external influences. 5 C. Infauna are large and easily visible to the naked eye. D. Infauna tend to be sensitive to their habitat quality. Answer: Infauna tend to be sensitive to their habitat quality. (D) Infauna's sensitivity to changes in habitat quality makes their presence indicative of good water quality. 13. Which environmental factor most significantly distinguishes the living conditions of epifaunal from infaunal organisms? A. Buffering from direct environmental fluctuations. B. Nutrient richness of the substrate. C. Exposure to predators. D. Availability of light. Answer: Buffering from direct environmental fluctuations. (A) Infaunal organisms are buffered from more direct environmental fluctuations that affect epifauna.