Species-Level Interactions

A set of flashcards covering species-level interactions, including competition, mutualism, allelopathy, and ecological niches.

What are the four general categories of inter- or intraspecific interactions?

Commensalism, Competition, Exploitation, Mutualism.

What is commensalism?

A relationship where one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

What is the impact of competition on species involved?

Both species suffer fitness losses.

What are the three competitive modes?

Scramble, Interference, Apparent competition.

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition occurring within a species.

What distinguishes interspecific competition?

Competition occurring between different species.

Who believed that interspecific competition significantly affects natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

Define mutualism.

A relationship where both species derive fitness benefits.

What is a niche?

The combination of environmental factors that influence the growth, survival, and fitness of a species.

What is the difference between fundamental niche and realized niche?

Fundamental niche is the potential conditions for a species, while realized niche includes biotic and abiotic factors in actual conditions.

What does the competitive exclusion principle state?

Complete competitors cannot coexist.

What does character displacement involve?

Evolution of traits that decrease niche overlap between competing species.

What effects do allelopathic compounds have?

Inhibit growth, survival, and reproduction of other species.

What is predation?

A species-level interaction where one individual feeds on another after killing it.

How do predators and prey evolve together?

Through a coevolutionary arms race.

What is the significance of mycorrhizal relationships?

They enhance plants' ability to acquire nutrients and water.

Explain the concept of exploitation in ecology.

A type of interaction in which one species benefits at the expense of another.

What is self-thinning in plants?

A decline in the number of individuals in a plant stand due to decreasing nutrients per capita.

How do honeyguides benefit from their relationship with humans?

They guide humans to bee nests for food.