Topic 2: Habitat & Lifestyle Adaptations help organisms to compete with each other for the needs of life. -When resources such as food, water or sunlight are plentiful, they can share. -However, when a resource becomes scarce, individuals must complete for it.

Competition Competition: the struggle among individuals for access to a limited resource (food, territory) Can occur between members of the same species or between different species. When two individuals compete, variations between the individuals may give one of them an advantage.

Competition Ex: Mule deer vs. White-tailed deer Depending on location, one may be faster or better able to avoid predators. This would allow the better-adapted deer species to “take over”. The less successful species may have to change to a less desirable food source or move to another habitat.

Competition Some species avoid competition with more dominant species by: 1. Using a different food source ex: cougar vs lynx 2. Keeping different habits or behaviours ex: hawks vs. owls These changes cause organisms to alter their niche, which will increase variation within or between species. .

Niche What is your niche? A niche is the series of roles an organism plays in its environment (where it lives and what it does). What is your niche? The general niches occupied by organisms are: 1. Producer--photosynthetic organisms which grow using energy from the sun

2. Consumer—eat other organisms for nutrients a. Herbivore—eats producers

b. Omnivore—eat consumers and producers c. Carnivore—eat other consumers

Decomposer—breaks down dead organisms and releases nutrients which are used by other living things

Broad Niche Organisms AKA Generalists Have more general adaptations suited to a greater variety of habitats and food sources. Often found in large populations. Not as many different species in area. Often in areas with diverse seasonal changes.

Broad Niche Organisms AKA Generalists Advantages: Are able to adapt to changes in environment (temperature, food source, etc.) Disadvantages: Has to face constant competition with own species and other generalist species

Narrow Niche Organisms AKA Specialists Have more specialized adaptations suited to a specific habitat and food source Often found in relatively small populations Many specialists located in a single area

Narrow Niche Organisms AKA Specialists Advantages: Is so specialized that other species can’t compete successfully against it Disadvantages: Is more likely to go extinct due to changes in environment.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a specialist and a generalist?

What is the meaning of these pictures? Symbiotic Relationships Symbiosis: A close relationship in which two species live closely together in a relationship that lasts over time. What is the meaning of these pictures?

Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism both organisms benefit one organism benefits but the other organism is harmed one organism benefits but the other organism is unaffected Example: The yucca plant and the yucca moth (obligate symbiants) -- The Yucca moth eats only yucca plant pollen and the yucca plant is only pollinated by the yucca moth! A tapeworm in a cat-- The tapeworm robs the cat of its nutrients and the worm thrives while the cat suffers. Ectoparasites live on the host. Endoparasites live in the host. An orchid growing on a tree--The tree provides a place for the orchid to grow so the orchid benefits. The orchid does not harm the tree so the tree is essentially unaffected.

Parasitism Endoparasites

Zombie Snails Body Invaders Guinea Worms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWB_COSUXMw&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active Body Invaders http://ngccommunity.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblogs/inside-ngc/2009/06/must-see-video-body-invaders.html Guinea Worms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la9ptX7oktg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Cat Tapeworms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmZhChxVRkI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Dog heart infected with parasitic heartworms.

worm Blood cell

Ectoparasites

Fleas

Ticks

Lice

Commensalism

Mutualism