Four species of marine crabs live in the same Australian coastal lagoon:
- Red-fingered reef crab (Lachnopodus subacutus\textit{Lachnopodus subacutus}Lachnopodus subacutus)
- Round-fronted reef crab (Lachnopodus bidentatus\textit{Lachnopodus bidentatus}Lachnopodus bidentatus)
- Decorator crab (Camposcia retusa\textit{Camposcia retusa}Camposcia retusa)
- Blue soldier crab (Mictyris longicarpus\textit{Mictyris longicarpus}Mictyris longicarpus)
Which two species of crabs do scientists classify as being most closely related? Give a reason for your answer.
What is the biological definition of a species that explains why the red-fingered reef crab and the round-fronted reef crab are classified as separate species?
The populations of four crustacean species (AAA, BBB, CCC, and DDD) in this lagoon were monitored over one calendar year.
Using this information: Describe how the population of species AAA changes during the year.
In July and August, an environmental disturbance (such as a local hypoxic event) affected the lagoon. Which species (AAA, BBB, CCC, or DDD) had the lowest resistance to this disturbance? Give a reason for your answer.
One of the species is a seasonal migrant that only inhabits this lagoon during the warmer months of the year. Identify this species and support your answer with evidence from the graph.