Community Ecology

symbiotic relationships Review… Communities include all of the interacting organisms from many species in a given area. There are 5 major types of close species interactions Competition Predation Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism Close species interactions are called: symbiotic relationships

Predation -when one individual, the predator, captures, kills and eats another individual, the prey.

To survive and reproduce, predators have evolved to be efficient killers. Name some adaptations that give predators an advantage.

Likewise, to avoid predators, prey have evolved elaborate escape strategies. Name some adaptations that give prey an advantage.

False eyes confuse predators Some unusual prey adaptations… False eyes confuse predators

Aposematic or “warning” coloration tells predators to keep away.

Some prey have evolved to look like poisonous or distasteful species Some prey have evolved to look like poisonous or distasteful species. This is called “mimicry”. Syrphid fly Honeybee Viceroy Monarch

Prey may also show “cryptic coloration” which allows them to blend into their environments. Walking Stick

Tobacco plant Acacia Even plants have evolved defenses against “predators”.

Parasitism One individual is harmed while the other benefits. •Parasite usually lives in or on the host •Usually kills host slowly Ectoparasite :lives on host Endoparasite: lives in host (Mite) (Tapeworm Head)

Lamprey

Mutualism Both individuals benefit. Ex: Pollinators Ex: Fungus on plant roots

Commensalism One benefits. The other is unaffected. Remoras and Sea Turtle

Predation, Parasitism, Mutualism, or Commensalism? Cattle Egret