Yellow-Eyed Salamanders Have Been Cited as an Example of Batesian

Multiple Choice

Yellow-eyed salamanders have been cited as an example of Batesian mimicry; their orange body color and yellow eyes mimic the coloration of the toxic California newt. Although the salamanders are palatable, their mimicry of a nonpalatable species tends to prevent predators from attacking. In a follow-up study, Kuchta et al. observed the reaction of Western scrub jays (predators with toxic newt experience) when presented with both a yellow-eyed salamander and a closely related species after being presented with a toxic newt. What was significant about this study?

A) This follow-up study was a controlled experiment to determine if the yellow-eyed salamander has a reciprocal influence on the toxic California newt.
B) This follow-up study was used to determine the reaction from a predator when presented with two nontoxic species of salamanders.
C) This follow-up study was a field study to determine the reaction of a new predator to both the California newt and the yellow-eyed salamander.
D) This follow-up study was a controlled experiment that measured how a species can influence the selective processes operating on another species.