The Socotra Chameleon (Chamaeleo monachus) is a rare reptile endemic to the Socotra Archipelago. The diagram below shows a food web involving the Socotra Chameleon on a remote islet.
How many secondary consumers are in this food web?
Feral cats are described as both predators and competitors of the Socotra Chameleon. Explain why.
Biomass is lost as it passes through this food web. Which two of the following processes cause a loss of biomass from the food web? Options: active transport, egestion, growth, respiration
Feral cats were originally introduced to the main island by sailors to control rodent pests. Which term describes this type of pest control? Options: Abiotic control, Biological control, Chemical control, Genetic control
Female feral cats can breed up to 3 times each year and produce up to 5 offspring each time, while the Socotra Chameleon lays about 15 eggs only once every 1 to 2 years. Explain why the feral cats almost caused the Socotra Chameleon to become extinct.
Suggest why these Socotra Chameleons have managed to survive on this remote islet.
Suggest why scientists are strongly against a proposed plan to build a paved causeway (bridge) to allow tourists to visit this islet.