The organisms that adopt swarming as an adaptation to overcome overcrowding are

Analyze the question: The question asks which organisms use swarming to cope with overcrowding in a colony or population.

Concept: Swarming is a form of mass migration, or dispersal, in which part of a crowded colony leaves to establish a new one. It is typical of social insects such as bees, ants and termites. When a colony gets too large, winged reproductive forms (alates) leave the nest in a swarm, mate, shed their wings, and start new colonies elsewhere. This relieves pressure on food and space.

Solution, option by option:

• A. Agama lizard: These are territorial reptiles. They do not swarm. Males defend territories and drive rivals away.
• B. Tilapia: These are fish. They may disperse or show territorial and nesting behaviour, but they do not swarm to relieve overcrowding.
• C. Rats: Rats are mammals. Overcrowding in rats leads to aggression, stress, reduced reproduction and migration, but not swarming. Swarming is a term for insects.
• D. Termites: These are social insects. Winged reproductives swarm out of an overcrowded colony, usually at the start of the rainy season, to found new colonies. This matches the question.

Answer: The correct option is D (termites).

Exam tip: Link the word "swarming" with social insects (bees, ants, termites, locusts). In Nigeria, you may have seen termites (aku) swarming around lights after the first rains. That is swarming as a way of dispersal.