In the Florida Everglades, Burmese pythons are an invasive species. They were introduced into southern Florida in 1992. These pythons feed on many of the native Florida species, establishing the pythons as the top predator in the environment. By the year 2000, their population had increased dramatically.Figures 1 and 2 display data collected by ecologists studying the results of the Burmese python invasion. Figure 1 shows counts of animals collected from nighttime road surveys in southern Florida, which are used to estimate population size. Figure 2 shows data collected from mosquitoes captured from the wild. DNA sequencing was used to identify the species of blood that the mosquitoes had in their stomachs, identifying various hosts used by the mosquitoes.Figure 1. Comparison of observations of selected mammals in 1996 and 2011Figure 2. Change in host preference by Culex cedecei between 1979 and 2016. Numbers do not add up to one hundred percent because these represent a subset of all the host species.In 1996, the native Culex cedecei mosquitoes in southern Florida preferentially took blood meals from white-tailed deer and raccoons. It was predicted that changes in host population size would alter these host preferences. Additionally, it is known that cotton rats are often infected by the Everglades virus, which normally exists in animals, but is capable of infecting humans. Ecologists predict that increased feeding on cotton rats by C. cedecei may significantly increase the tendency of this virus to infect humans.QuestionScientists hypothesize that the invasive Burmese pythons are responsible for recent increases in human Everglades virus infections. Evaluate this alternate hypothesis using the data provided.ResponsesThe alternate hypothesis is supported because invasive Burmese pythons caused an increase in the mosquito population. This enabled them to transmit the Everglades virus at a higher frequency if they were infected.The alternate hypothesis is supported because invasive Burmese pythons caused an increase in the mosquito population. This enabled them to transmit the Everglades virus at a higher frequency if they were infected.The alternate hypothesis is supported because the invasive Burmese pythons caused mosquitoes to switch to feeding on cotton rats. This means that mosquitoes are more likely to carry the Everglades virus when they bite humans.The alternate hypothesis is supported because the invasive Burmese pythons caused mosquitoes to switch to feeding on cotton rats. This means that mosquitoes are more likely to carry the Everglades virus when they bite humans.The alternate hypothesis is refuted because humans are used as hosts for only a small percentage of mosquito feedings. Humans therefore will not have an increase in Everglades virus infection.The alternate hypothesis is refuted because humans are used as hosts for only a small percentage of mosquito feedings. Humans therefore will not have an increase in Everglades virus infection.The alternate hypothesis is refuted by the data because the population of cotton rats increased. Since there are more cotton rats, they will contain the Everglades virus and prevent it from infecting humans.
Question
In the Florida Everglades, Burmese pythons are an invasive species. They were introduced into southern Florida in 1992. These pythons feed on many of the native Florida species, establishing the pythons as the top predator in the environment. By the year 2000, their population had increased dramatically.Figures 1 and 2 display data collected by ecologists studying the results of the Burmese python invasion. Figure 1 shows counts of animals collected from nighttime road surveys in southern Florida, which are used to estimate population size. Figure 2 shows data collected from mosquitoes captured from the wild. DNA sequencing was used to identify the species of blood that the mosquitoes had in their stomachs, identifying various hosts used by the mosquitoes.Figure 1. Comparison of observations of selected mammals in 1996 and 2011Figure 2. Change in host preference by Culex cedecei between 1979 and 2016. Numbers do not add up to one hundred percent because these represent a subset of all the host species.In 1996, the native Culex cedecei mosquitoes in southern Florida preferentially took blood meals from white-tailed deer and raccoons. It was predicted that changes in host population size would alter these host preferences. Additionally, it is known that cotton rats are often infected by the Everglades virus, which normally exists in animals, but is capable of infecting humans. Ecologists predict that increased feeding on cotton rats by C. cedecei may significantly increase the tendency of this virus to infect humans.QuestionScientists hypothesize that the invasive Burmese pythons are responsible for recent increases in human Everglades virus infections. Evaluate this alternate hypothesis using the data provided.ResponsesThe alternate hypothesis is supported because invasive Burmese pythons caused an increase in the mosquito population. This enabled them to transmit the Everglades virus at a higher frequency if they were infected.The alternate hypothesis is supported because invasive Burmese pythons caused an increase in the mosquito population. This enabled them to transmit the Everglades virus at a higher frequency if they were infected.The alternate hypothesis is supported because the invasive Burmese pythons caused mosquitoes to switch to feeding on cotton rats. This means that mosquitoes are more likely to carry the Everglades virus when they bite humans.The alternate hypothesis is supported because the invasive Burmese pythons caused mosquitoes to switch to feeding on cotton rats. This means that mosquitoes are more likely to carry the Everglades virus when they bite humans.The alternate hypothesis is refuted because humans are used as hosts for only a small percentage of mosquito feedings. Humans therefore will not have an increase in Everglades virus infection.The alternate hypothesis is refuted because humans are used as hosts for only a small percentage of mosquito feedings. Humans therefore will not have an increase in Everglades virus infection.The alternate hypothesis is refuted by the data because the population of cotton rats increased. Since there are more cotton rats, they will contain the Everglades virus and prevent it from infecting humans.
Solution
The text you provided is in English, so I will respond in English.
Based on the information provided, it seems that the alternate hypothesis is supported. The invasive Burmese pythons have caused a shift in the feeding habits of the Culex cedecei mosquitoes. As the pythons feed on many of the native Florida species, this has likely led to a decrease in the populations of the mosquitoes' preferred hosts, such as white-tailed deer and raccoons. As a result, the mosquitoes have switched to feeding on cotton rats, which are known to often be infected by the Everglades virus. This could potentially increase the likelihood of the virus being transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. However, without specific data from Figures 1 and 2, this conclusion is based on the provided text and general ecological understanding.
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