LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q25: Burying beetles do whatever they can

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain burying beetles' apparently contradictory behavior? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and summarize its main points. The passage tells us about burying beetles and their seemingly contradictory behaviors. On one hand, they try to minimize the size of their competitors' broods by destroying each other's eggs when they share the same breeding location. On the other hand, once the eggs hatch, the adult beetles treat all of the larvae equally and share in the care of the entire population.

The question type for this problem is a Paradox question. We are asked to find an answer choice that helps explain the burying beetles' apparently contradictory behavior.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Burying beetles whose eggs hatch before their competitors' are more likely to have large broods than are burying beetles whose eggs hatch later.

- This answer choice emphasizes the competition among burying beetles and the advantage of having eggs hatch earlier. However, it does not explain why the beetles cooperate in raising larvae after the eggs hatch.

b) The cooperation among adult burying beetles ensures that the greatest possible number of larvae survive.

- This answer choice provides a possible explanation for why burying beetles cooperate in raising larvae, but it does not address their behavior of destroying each other's eggs before hatching.

c) Burying beetles are unable to discriminate between their own larvae and the larvae of other burying beetles.

- This is the correct answer choice. It explains that the beetles cannot tell the difference between their own larvae and those of others, so they must protect and care for all larvae to ensure the survival of their own offspring. This resolves the paradox by showing that both behaviors are motivated by the beetles' concern for their own offspring.

d) Many of the natural enemies of burying beetles can be repelled only if burying beetles cooperate in defending the breeding site.

- While this answer choice suggests a reason for beetles to cooperate, it does not explain the specific behaviors mentioned in the passage, i.e., destroying each other's eggs and treating all larvae equally after hatching.

e) Most breeding sites for burying beetles can accommodate only a limited number of larvae.

- This answer choice explains why beetles might destroy each other's eggs to prevent overcrowding. However, it does not address why they treat all larvae equally after hatching.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (c) because it provides a reason for both behaviors mentioned in the passage, resolving the paradox. The beetles destroy each other's eggs to minimize competition, but they treat all larvae equally after hatching because they cannot distinguish between their own offspring and those of others.