Erwin and Scott Used an Insecticidal Fog to Knock Down

Multiple Choice

Erwin and Scott used an insecticidal fog to knock down insects from the top of a L. seemannii tree. The researchers identified over 900 species of beetles among the individuals that fell. Erwin also projected that this entire tree is host to about 600 arthropod species unique to this tree species. There are approximately 50,000 species of tropical trees. Although it could not be entirely accurate, what would be the best way to estimate the total number of arthropod species?

A) Estimate the species density and then multiply by 50,000.
B) Multiply 900 by 50,000.
C) Multiply 600 by 50,000.
D) Divide 900 by 600 and then multiply by 50,000.