Special Relationships Unit 1 – Animal Geography

Diversity WHSD moto: “Diversity is our strength.” diversity – the differences in the numbers and kinds of populations that exist in a community Based on this definition, is this moto accurate? How can diversity lead to the success of an existing community? What about a community rebuilding after some type of disaster?

Habitat –vs- Niche Habitat –The location in which the organism lives (grasslands, freshwater, tree tops, inside a host, etc.) Niche –The lifestyle of the organism within the habitat (predator, nocturnal, parasite, scavenger, etc.).

Competition: Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which coexist in the same environment. For example, animals compete over water supplies, food, and mates. In addition, humans compete for attention, wealth, prestige, and fame. Example – black tipped reef sharks feeding What does competition lead to?naturallyenvironment

In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator organism feeds on another living organism or organisms known as prey. Example – lizardfish feeding on shrimp gobies Should an ecosystem contain more predators or prey?ecologybiological interaction

The term symbiosis commonly describes close and often long-term interactions between different biological species. -mutualism -commensalism -parasitism How did Marlin interact with his home?species

The term Mutualism describes any relationship between individuals of different species where both individuals derive a fitness benefit. Example: The ants eat the plant while the pollen is transferred to another plant on the ants back. Remember: it has to occur between different speciesspeciesfitness

Commensalism describes a relationship between two living organisms where one benefits and the other is not significantly harmed or helped. Example: A frog using a lily pad to sit on and wait for prey does not harm the plant. Any other examples?

A parasitic relationship is one in which one member of the association benefits while the other is harmed. Parasitic symbioses take many forms, from endoparasites that live within the host's body, to ectoparasites that live on its surface. In addition, parasites may be necrotrophic, which is to say they kill their host, or biotrophic, meaning they rely on their host surviving. Example – leech is a parasite (ectoparasite)parasiticendoparasitesectoparasites