The table below shows the population of different duck species at a local pond. Which term best describes the total number of Mallards in the pond?Duck Pond SamplesSample 1Sample 2Mallard13Mallard12Wood Duck4Wood Duck2Green Wing Teal6Green Wing Teal6American Widgeon2American Widgeon5

The total number of individuals of one species in a pond is that species’ population. Here, the Mallards counted in the two samples total 13 + 12 = 25, so the term is “Mallard population.” “Duck population” would refer to all duck species together, while a sample is only part of the pond’s population.

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