Interspecific Exploitation: Predator-Prey Dynamics

Interspecific Exploitation

Interactions between different species affecting fitness.

Exploitative Interactions

Relationships where one species benefits at another's expense.

Fitness

An individual's reproductive success and survival.

Herbivory

Consumption of plant material by herbivores.

Predation

Killing and consumption of prey by predators.

Parasitism

One organism benefits while harming the host.

Consumption

General term for herbivory, predation, and parasitism.

Lotka-Volterra Model

Predicts predator-prey population dynamics over time.

Population Inertia

Delay in predator population response to prey changes.

Moose and Wolves Case Study

Illustrates predator-prey dynamics in a specific ecosystem.

Exploitative Interactions Count

25,000 interactions among 500 species in Lake Okeechobee.

Mutualism

Interaction that benefits both species involved.

Digestive Tract Length

Herbivores have longer tracts for complex plant digestion.

Food Availability

Plants are generally more available than animals.

High-Energy Plant Foods

Seeds, fruit, and flowers are least available.

Plant Defenses

Mechanisms plants use to deter herbivores.

Carnivory

Killing and consumption of other animals by carnivores.

Herbivore Foraging

Herbivores typically restrict foraging to specific plant areas.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Study of energy transfer through food chains.

Predator Numbers Fluctuation

Predators increase after prey population rebounds.

Prey Availability

Prey becomes more available as their population increases.

Species Interactions

Connections between different species in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Dynamics

Interactions and relationships that shape ecosystem structure.

Carnivory

Killing and consuming other animals for food.

Prey

Animals that are hunted and consumed by predators.

Predators

Organisms that hunt and kill other animals.

Search Image

Focus on specific prey type during hunting.

Parasitism

Relationship where one organism lives on another without killing.

Endoparasite

Parasite that lives inside the host organism.

Ectoparasite

Parasite that lives on the surface of the host.

Parasitoid

Parasite that ultimately kills its host.

Mechanical Defenses

Physical traits that deter herbivores from consumption.

Standing Defenses

Permanent defenses present regardless of predator presence.

Inducible Defenses

Defenses that appear in response to predator pressure.

Tough Epidermis

Hard outer layer of seed shells and bark.

Entanglement Devices

Structures that trap and deter small herbivores.

Piercing Devices

Structures that penetrate and damage herbivores.

Claws and Talons

Specialized structures for catching and subduing prey.

Refined Senses

Enhanced sensory capabilities for detecting prey.

Specialized Teeth

Teeth adapted for killing and consuming prey.

Venom Glands

Glands that produce toxins for subduing prey.

Morphological Specializations

Physical adaptations for speed and prey capture.

Behavioral Ecology

Study of interactions between behavior and ecological factors.

Plant Defenses

Strategies evolved by plants to avoid herbivory.

Consumption Rate

15-70% of terrestrial plants eaten annually.

Costs of Defenses

Trade-offs associated with possessing defensive traits.

Spines and needles

Adaptations in plants for water and food retention.

Polymers

Cellulose and lignin prevent herbivory by indigestibility.

Secondary metabolites

Chemical defenses evolved to deter specific herbivores.

Phenolics

Compounds that reduce protein digestion and growth.

Terpenes

Chemicals that block ion transmission and hormone action.

Alkaloids

Compounds affecting neurotransmission and causing nausea.

Mechanical defenses

Physical adaptations to deter predators, like quills.

Behavioral defenses

Actions taken by prey to avoid predation.

Retaliation

Defensive actions like porcupine quills or zebra kicks.

Startling behavior

Mimicking predators to scare off attackers.

Deflection of attack

Redirecting attacks to less vital body parts.

Large size

Intimidation factor in deterring predators.

Death feigning

Pretending to be dead to avoid predation.

Fleeing

Quick escape tactics employed by prey species.

Crypsis

Camouflage to avoid detection by predators.

Clustering

Safety in numbers to confuse predators.

Nausea induction

Chemical defenses causing sickness in predators.

Cellulase

Enzyme evolved by some organisms to digest cellulose.

Alkaline pH

High pH in some herbivores prevents tannin binding.

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationships aiding in digestion of defenses.

Sub-toxic consumption

Eating small amounts of toxic plants to survive.

Induced defenses

Plant defenses activated after herbivore feeding.

Social carnivory

Group hunting strategies employed by carnivores.