(Lec. 9) Species Interactions, Mutualism, and Co-evolution

These flashcards cover key concepts related to species interactions, co-evolution, human influence on species, and the ecological implications of indigenous societies as discussed in the lecture.

What is co-evolution in the context of species interactions?

Co-evolution occurs when persistent interactions between species lead to mutual adaptations over time.

What was significant about the domestication of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?

Dogs were the first domesticated animal and the only large carnivore domesticated 20,000-40,000 years ago in Eurasia.

What is Belyaev’s Foxes experiment known for?

A breeding project initiated by Dmitri Belyaev that selected silver foxes for tameness towards humans.

What does the 'Ecologically Noble Savage' hypothesis suggest?

It suggests that indigenous peoples live in harmony with nature and engage in resource conservation.

What is a key critique against the idea that indigenous societies are inherently conservationists?

Some argue that indigenous groups do not necessarily incorporate ecological concepts into their traditional practices.

How did Michael Alvard test the 'Ecologically Noble Savage' hypothesis?

By examining the prey choice of the uncontacted Piro Indians in Amazonian Peru.

What is the difference between immediate return and delayed return societies?

Immediate return societies gain benefits from their resources quickly, while delayed return societies have a longer wait for resource benefits.

Define maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

The maximum amount of a resource that can be harvested without compromising its future availability.

What was a primary finding of Alvard's study regarding Piro prey choices?

Piro hunters pursued large prey that was predicted by optimal foraging theory, including those species most vulnerable to extinction.

What common traits do humans preferentially target in prey species?

Large size, fat-rich composition, immobility, and the ability for mass harvesting.

Explain how body size affects a species' recovery potential.

Larger species take longer to reach reproductive age and have lower rates of natural increase, making recovery slower.

What did studies show regarding the relationship between human hunting and megafauna extinctions?

They concluded that anthropogenic factors, such as human hunting, primarily caused late Pleistocene extinctions.