Biologists have generally believed that the diet of jaguars consists mostly of land-based mammals, but researchers studying a population of...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Biologists have generally believed that the diet of jaguars consists mostly of land-based mammals, but researchers studying a population of jaguars living in the Brazilian Pantanal, a tropical wetland, claim that jaguars can survive on a diet of more fish and aquatic reptiles than mammals.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers' claim?
Aquatic reptile and fish remains were detected more often than were mammal remains in an analysis of jaguar waste matter found in the area.
Exceptionally high numbers of yacare caiman, an aquatic reptile, were found living in the area.
Aquatic prey like the reptiles and fish in the area provide a source of omega-3 fatty acids that aren't often found in land mammals.
When jaguars in the area preyed on mammals, they tended to prefer semiaquatic ones like capybaras.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Biologists have generally believed that the diet of jaguars consists mostly of land-based mammals" |
|
| "but researchers studying a population of jaguars living in the Brazilian Pantanal, a tropical wetland," |
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| "claim that jaguars can survive on a diet of more fish and aquatic reptiles than mammals." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers studying jaguars in a wetland environment challenge the traditional belief about jaguar diet composition.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a scientific disagreement between traditional beliefs about jaguar diet (mostly land mammals) and new research suggesting jaguars in wetland environments can thrive on a diet with more aquatic prey than mammals.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which finding would most directly support the researchers' claim that jaguars can survive on more fish and aquatic reptiles than mammals.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that demonstrates jaguars actually are eating more aquatic prey than mammals.
Any limiting keywords? "Most directly support" - we need the strongest, most direct evidence for their claim.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To support this claim most directly, we need evidence showing that jaguars in this area actually ARE consuming more aquatic prey than mammals
- The best evidence would be direct proof of what jaguars are eating in their diet, showing aquatic prey outnumbers mammal consumption
Aquatic reptile and fish remains were detected more often than were mammal remains in an analysis of jaguar waste matter found in the area.
- Waste analysis shows aquatic prey remains found more often than mammal remains
- This is direct evidence of actual consumption patterns and perfectly matches what we need
Exceptionally high numbers of yacare caiman, an aquatic reptile, were found living in the area.
- Shows high numbers of caiman in the area
- Only demonstrates availability, not actual consumption
Aquatic prey like the reptiles and fish in the area provide a source of omega-3 fatty acids that aren't often found in land mammals.
- Explains nutritional benefits of aquatic prey
- Shows why aquatic prey might be advantageous but doesn't prove consumption
When jaguars in the area preyed on mammals, they tended to prefer semiaquatic ones like capybaras.
- When jaguars do eat mammals, they prefer semiaquatic ones
- Still focuses on mammal consumption rather than fish/aquatic reptiles