Consider a predator species foraging for prey in a habitat, where there are two prey species A and B. Assume the foraging predator can choose from a high-value prey A and low-value prey B. A and B occur at different frequencies in the environment, so it may take different average times to find the next A or B individual.

Choose the correct option based on the optimal foraging theory.

Correct option is B

Explanation-

Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT) predicts that animals will maximize their net energy intake per unit of foraging time. This involves balancing:
                                                                         Energy gain from prey,
                                                                         Search time, and
                                                                         Handling time.
High-value prey (A) is preferred if it is abundant enough (short search time).
If search time for A becomes too long, the predator's net energy gain drops.
In such cases, including B (even if less valuable) becomes more optimal to maintain energy intake.
So, diet breadth increases when preferred prey becomes rare or hard to find.

​So, the correct answer is option b - If it takes too long to search for A, predators may eat both A and B, whichever is encountered.

Incorrect options- 
Option a -  If it takes too long to search for A, predators may switch to eating B only.
 Unrealistic in OFT — predators are unlikely to eat only the low-value prey if high-value prey occasionally appears.
​Option c - Predators will only feed on B, regardless of search time.
Ignores prey value, which is central to OFT.
​Option d -  Predators will never feed on B, irrespective of its relative frequency.
 This contradicts OFT — if A is too rare, feeding on B becomes beneficial.

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