Barnacle Competition Lab Review

Flashcards covering key concepts related to Barnacle Competition Lab, including ecological niches, barnacle biology, and competition dynamics.

Ecological Niche

The role an organism fills in a community, including its interactions with other species and the physical environment where it can survive.

Fundamental Niche vs. Realized Niche

The fundamental niche is usually larger than the realized niche, which is restricted by species interactions.

Species Interactions

Competitive, predatory, and mutualistic relationships that prevent a species from fully occupying its fundamental niche.

Barnacles

Aquatic crustaceans that attach to surfaces, often found in intertidal zones.

Tidal Zone Challenges

Organisms face challenges such as alternating exposure to air and water, and being battered by waves.

Filter Feeders

Organisms like barnacles that gather microorganisms out of the water using tentacles.

Cyprid Barnacle Larvae

The larval stage of barnacles that settle on the ocean floor and metamorphose into adults.

Chthamalus and Balanus

Two species of barnacles that can be identified by their color in simulations.

Thais Snail

A predator of barnacles that affects their population dynamics.

High Tide and Low Tide

Conditions when portions of rocks are exposed to air, influencing barnacle growth.

Histogram in Simulation

A graphical representation showing the relative locations of Chthamalus and Balanus on rocks.

Niche Differentiation

The process by which species exploit different resources or niches to coexist.

Competitive Exclusion

The principle stating that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist.

Standard Deviation in Elevation Tolerance

A statistical measure indicating how far the barnacles can thrive in varying elevations.

Effect of Snail Removal

The realized niche of certain barnacle species, like Chthamalus, would increase if snails are removed.