Species Interactions

FIVE MAJOR TYPES OF SPECIES INTERACTIONS COMPETITION (-/-) PREDATION (+/-) PARASITISM (+/-) MUTUALISM (+/+) COMMENSALISM (+/0) Effects may be positive (+), negative (-) or neutral (0).

INTERACTION BETWEEN ORGANISMS Prey predatorCompetitionSymbiosis Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism Organisms live together

Competition  species attempt to use the same resources  compete with each other for food, light, water, shelter, mate  both may be harmed Compete for foodCompete for light

Competition  organisms may develop physical differences because of competition for resources  the same species of finch found together have different beak sizes  allows them to feed on different seeds and reduces competition  some birds eat the same insects, but hunt for them in different places Animal Territory Battles for Survival World's Weirdest - Smallest Monkey Turf War

Predation  predator feeds on the prey  predator benefits, prey harmed  a predator may be prey of another species  most organisms have evolved some ways to avoid or defend against predators

Predation  Some predators eat only specific types of prey. In this kind of close relationship, the sizes of each population tend to increase and decrease in linked patterns, as shown below.

Predation  examples:  Lynx/Snowshoe hare Lynx/Snowshoe hare  Lionfish Lionfish  Shrew/Snake Shrew/Snake  Mantis Shrimp Mantis Shrimp  Archer Fish Archer Fish  Scorpion/Moth Scorpion/Moth  Shark/Octopus Shark/Octopus

Parasitism  parasite lives and feeds in/on another organism (called host)  examples: ticks, fleas, tapeworms, heartworms, leeches.  parasite benefits, host is harmed Zombie Snails Tongue Eating Louse

Mutualism  depend on another species for survival  in some cases, neither organism can survive alone  both species benefit – a “win-win”  Ex. bee/flower, legumes/nfb, clownfish/anemone, lichen

Mutualism Clownfish and Sea Anemone Partnership -- National Geographic Amazing Symbiosis: Ant Army Defends Tree Caribbean Cleaners Animal partnerships - David Attenborough - BBC wildlife

Commensalism  one organism benefits and the other in unaffected  bird/tree, sharks/remora fish, cattle egret/cattle, whales/barnacles

Commensalism (+,0) Bird’s nest fern -Grows on a tree -To obtain sunlight Tree -not receive any benefits or harm

Species Interactions

Symbiosis: Hippo Licks Croc World's Weirdest - Seagulls Help Sunfish Species Interactions

Scenarios 1) Shrimp and Sea Anemone: The shrimp is immune to the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone. By hiding in the sea anemone, the shrimp is protected from predators. Interaction: ____________________________ 2) Cattle Egrets and Livestock: As they graze, cattle stir up insects, which are eaten by the cattle egrets. Interaction: ____________________________ 3) Tapeworm and Dog: The tapeworm attaches to the intestinal wall of the dog and takes nutrients consumed by the dog. Interaction: ____________________________ Commensalism Parasitism

Scenarios 4) Ant and Acacia Tree: The ant burrows into a thorn of the acacia tree to live and eat sugar secreted by the tree. The ants benefit the tree by attacking predators. Interaction: ____________________________ 5) Cleaner Fish and Shark: The cleaner fish feeds on parasites in the shark's mouth and gills. Interaction: ____________________________ 6) Tick and Cow: The tick burrows into the cow's skin to suck blood. Interaction: ____________________________ Parasitism Mutualism

Scenarios 7) Komodo Dragon and Water Buffalo: The komodo dragon bites a water buffalo to inject it with venom. About 1 week later, the water buffalo dies of poisoning and is eaten by the komodo dragon. Interaction: ____________________________ 8) Tigers and Golden Jackals: Lone golden jackals often follow tigers to feed on the tiger’s kills once the tiger has finished eating. Interaction: ____________________________ Predation Commensalism