1. Interactions With Communities
Chapter 14
Producers
Interactions With Communities
Herbivores
Carnivores
Decomposers

2. 1. What are consumers?
Organisms that cannot make their own energy-rich molecules.
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
Decomposers

3. 2. Types of Consumers
Primary Consumers – Herbivores, plant or insect diet. Ex: Deer, Squirrels, Butterfly, Warbler, Frogs
Secondary Consumers – Omnivores. Plant, insect or meat diet. Usually scavengers and will eat anything available. Ex: Raccoon, Crow, Fox,
Tertiary Consumers – Carnivores. Ex: Bobcat, Bear, Panther.

4. 3. What are producers?
An organism that uses an outside source of energy like the Sun to make energy-rich molecules.
Photosynthesis
Chlorophyll converts Sun energy.
Chemosynthesis
Inorganic materials provide energy.

5. 4. What are decomposers?
An organism that breaks down organic material to gain energy-rich molecules (food).
Bacteria
Fungi/Mold
Worms, snails, slugs, etc.

6. 5. Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis: A close relationship between species that is not solely based on food.
Two organisms that live together:
Temporarily or for a longer time
At least one of the organisms benefit from the relationship
3 Types of symbiosis
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Predation vs. Competition

7. 6. Types of Symbiosis
Mutualism: Symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.
Commensalism: Symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is not affected.
Parasitism: Symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits but the other is harmed

8. 7. Parasitism Causes harm to host
The parasite benefits, the host is harmed or in some cases killed.

9. 8. Commensalism Only one member benefits
sharing space, defense, shelter, food
Neither will die if relationship is ended
Shrimp & sea cucumber
The Shrimp hitch a ride on the large sea cucumbers. The shrimps get transported through a large area of potential food by their host with only a minimal expenditure of energy on their part. They can be observed getting off their host cucumber to feed in productive areas, and back on for a ride to the next spot!

10. 9. Mutualism Both organisms derive mutual benefit
Neither can survive without the other
Tickbirds and rhinos

11. 8. What is a niche?
Niche: An organisms role in its environment, how it obtains food and shelter, finds a mate, cares for its young and avoids danger.
Often have adaptations that give them an advantage in their environment
Ex: barn owl & bald eagle, leopards & lions

12. Zombie Caterpillars -Slave Bodyguard
Glyptapanteles is a wasp that lays its eggs in the body of a caterpillar.
This is a three layered parasitic infection.
The wasps disable the caterpillar’s immune system, allowing the wasp eggs to survive.
The eggs hatch and feed on the caterpillar, but do not kill it. Instead, the caterpillar stops developing and spends the rest of its life protecting the wasp larva, even going as far as spinning its own cocoon around the wasp pupae.
When the adult wasp emerges from its cocoon, the zombie caterpillar finally tastes the sweet release of death.

13. Good Buddies Symbiotic Relationships
*You will play a card game using these relationships.
*The following will help you recognize the relationship type.

14. Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected
Cattle with cattle egrets
Cattle stir up insects as they eat grass Egrets hang around and eat insects
Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

15. Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected
Clown fish with anemone
Clown fish gets protection Anemone is unaffected
Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

16. Cactus Wren & Cholla Cactus
builds its nest in a cholla cactus to protect its young from predators such as raven. There is no harm to the cactus.
Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

17. Mutualism: both benefit
Buffalo & Oxpecker
Buffalo
Lets the bird eat
Oxpecker
Eats ticks and other parasites off skin
Warns buffalo of danger
Mutualism: both benefit

18. Honey Bee & the Dandelion
gets to eat the pollen from the flower.
Dandelion
uses the bee to spread its pollen to another flower
Mutualism: both benefit

19. Mutualism: both benefit
Shark and Remora Fish
Shark
Lets the fish eat
Remora Fish
Eats parasites
Gets the shark’s leftovers
Mutualism: both benefit

20. Hermit Crab & Sea Anemone
protects the crab
Sea anemone
Gets leftover food
Mutualism: both benefit

21. Mutualism: both benefit
Crocodile & Bird
Nile crocodile
Usually eats animals
Allows bird to walk around its mouth
Crocodile bird
Cleans parasites in croc’s teeth
Removes and eats scraps of food
Eats harmful leeches and parasites
Notes:
Mammal - Bird relationships are common.
Questions:
Can you think of other animal-bird symbiotic relationships?
Why and how do you think this relationship evolved?
What special adaptations might have developed for this relationship?
Mutualism: both benefit

22. Mutualism: both benefit
Moray Eel with Cleaner Shrimp
Zebra Moray Eel gets a clean mouth
Cleaner Shrimp gets a meal
Mutualism: both benefit

23. Mutualism: both benefit
Antelope with Oxbird
Antelope gets rid of parasites Oxbird gets a meal
Mutualism: both benefit