Community ecology focuses mainly on ___________ ____________.
Community ecology focuses mainly on interspecific interactions.
Competition ( __ and __ ) involves interactions between individuals of the same species (___________) and individuals of different species (___________).
Competition ( - and - ) involves interactions between individuals of the same species (intraspecific) and individuals of different species (interspecific).
Inter/intraspecific competition is often a stronger force compared to inter/intraspecific competition.
Intraspecific competition is often a stronger force compared to interspecific competition.
Predation ( __ and __ ): occurs when a predator kills and consumes prey, can lead to:
Predation ( + and - ): occurs when a predator kills and consumes prey, can lead to:
- Changes in prey behaviour
- Changes in habitat use
- Increases in chronic stress levels
The way in which predation regulates prey populations is an example of ___-_____ ________ and can initiate _______ _______.
The way in which predation regulates prey populations is an example of top-down control and can initiate trophic cascades.
Herbivory ( __ and __ ) can stimulate plant growth, otherwise known as ___________ ______.
Herbivory ( + and - ) can stimulate plant growth, otherwise known as compensatory growth.
Parasitism ( __ and __ ) is a symbiotic relationship wherein one organism benefits at the expense of another and can occur in two forms:
Parasitism ( + and - ) is a symbiotic relationship wherein one organism benefits at the expense of another and can occur in two forms:
- Ectoparasitism: parasite lives on the host
- Endoparasitism: parasite lives inside the host
What is brood parasitism?
Occurs when an organism (mainly birds) lays eggs in another species’ nest, leaving that species to raise their offspring, often at the expense of the host and the host’s offspring.
Parasitoidism ( __ and __ ): parasite that Iives inside or on host in early Iife, eventually kiIIing it, highly ____-_______.
Parasitoidism ( + and - ): parasite that Iives inside or on host in early Iife, eventually kiIIing it, highly host-specific.
Mutualism ( __ and __ ): an interaction wherein both partners experience a net fitness benefit, often through resource or service exchange, leading to:
Mutualism ( + and + ): an interaction wherein both partners experience a net fitness benefit, often through resource or service exchange, leading to increase in productivity and resource availability.
What are the two types of mutualism?
- Obligate mutualism: one or both of the species depend on the interaction to survive, very tightly linked and specialized.
- Facultative mutualism: interaction is beneficial but not required for survival, more flexible.
Commensalism ( __ and __) occurs when:
Commensalism ( 0 and +) occurs when one species benefits and the other species is unaffected.
Amensalism ( __ and __) occurs when:
Amensalism ( 0 and -) occurs when one species is harmed and the other is unaffected (relatively uncommon).
What is apparent competition?
Occurs when two species of prey share a common predator, meaning that increases in one prey population negatively affect the other through increased predation (presence of more prey = increase in predator population).
Apparent competition is an example of what type of interaction?
Apparent competition is an example of indirect interaction.
Co-evolution: ___________ evolutionary change in two or more species, driven by their ______________. Each species acts as a ___________ _________ on the other.
Co-evolution: reciprocal evolutionary change in two or more species, driven by their interactions. Each species acts as a selective pressure on the other.
What is reciprocal selection?
Occurs when each species selects for traits in the other, leads to directional selection.
What is the Red Queen Hypothesis?
States that organisms must continue to evolve simply to maintain fitness relative to co-evolving partners, creating escalating adaptation.
Arms races can/cannot escalate indefinitely.
Arms races cannot escalate indefinitely.
What are the forces that stabilize traits?
- trade-offs
- energy costs
What are some strategies used by predators?
- speed and agility
- camouflage
- cooperative hunting
- stealth and ambush
- sensory specialization
What are some strategies used by prey?
- speed and escape behaviour
- camouflage or armour
- group vigilance, defence, etc.
- chemical and warning defences
What is crypsis?
An organism that avoids detection by blending into environment and benefiting from reduced visibility.
