Interspecific Relationships

Mutualism, Exploitation, Allelopathy, Commensalism

What does the term Inter- mean?

Between

What are Interspecific relationships?

Interactions that occur between different species

What are the types of Interspecific Relationships?

Exploitation, Commensalism, Mutualism, Allelopathy

What is Mutualism?

Where both parties benefit from the relationship to the extent that their evolutionary fitness increases

What is Obligate Mutualism?

When one or both species cannot survive without its mutualistic partner

What is Faculative mutualism?

Where the relationship is not necessary for the survival of either species; May not have the same level of dependency

What are the types of Mutualism Relationship?

Resource-Resource Relationships, Service-Resource Relationships, Service-Service Relationships

What is Commensalism?

Where one species benefits and the other is unaffected

What benefits does the species benefitting receive in a Commensalism relationship?

A food supply, shelter, transport

What is Allelopathy?

A relationship when a plant species produces a substance that inhibits the growth of or kills other plant species

How does the plant species producing allelochemicals benefit from doing so?

Decreases interspecific competition; More nutrients available

What are the disadvantages of Allelopathy?

Overall biodiversity is decreased as fewer plant varieties are able to inhabit the area

Reduction in animal species inhabiting the community

What is exploitation?

Where one species benefits at the expense of the other

What are the types of exploitation?

Parasitism, Herbivory, Predation

What are the Five types of Parasites and their definitions?

Ectoparasites, Endoparasites, Hemiparasite, Obligate Parasite, Brood Parasite

What adaptation do parasitic plants have?

Haestorium roots that allow them to penetrate the host’s bark and connect to the xylem, phloem, or both

What does Herbivory result in for both species?

Results in coevolution between plants and herbivory animals

What defences are fast growing plants more likely to use and why?

Chemical defences as they don’t have time to develop structural defences

What defences are slow growing plants more likely to use and why?

Structural defences as they have the time to develop these defences

Define monophagous

Herbivores that only eat one type of plant and are thus completely dependent on it for their survival (Specialists)

Define Polyphagous

Herbivores that eat a variety of plants (Generalists)

What causes prey-switching?

Occurs when a preferred prey population becomes limited as a result of overhunting by the predator

What influences does predation have on prey and/or predators?

• Influences prey population numbers in the short term

• Influences genetic fitness and thus evolution of both predators and prey in the long term

What adaptations do predators have?

Camouflage, Front-Facing Eyes, Teeth and Claws, Speed and Strength, Teamwork

What adaptations do prey have?

Morphological defences, Behavioural defences

Define Crypsis

The ability of an animal to avoid observation or detection by other animals by camouflage, nocturnality, subterranean lifestyle, or mimicry

What defence strategies do plants have and how do they work?

Chemical Defences, Structural Defences

What is divarication?

Where a plant has branches at wide angles that intertangle, reducing the amount of browsing on the plant

Define Resource-resource relationships

Where one resource is traded for another, usually a food or nutrient

What adaptations do predators have?

Camouflage, Front-facing eyes, Sharp Teeth and Claws, Speed and Strength, Teamwork

Why are predators adapted to have camouflage?

Allows the predators to blend into its background, hiding its location from prey species

Why are predators adapted to have front-facing eyes?

Allows for more accurate detection of prey from locations and distances, overlapping view provides accurate information related to distance and speed of prey

Why are predators adapted to have sharp teeth and claws?

To kill prey and easily tear meat from the prey’s body, provides grip so can easily gain speed while running

Why are predators adapted to have teamwork?

Able to take on larger prey through coordinated efforts and protect their kill from others

Why do prey exhibit morphological/behavioural defences?

To successfully survive and reproduce

How do plant chemical defences work?

Produced chemical deterrents cause excessive stimulation, lethargy, or become toxic after ingestion; Makes leaves/seeds unpalatable so deters consumption

How do plant structural defences work?

Visually discourages consumption

What are some examples of Morphological defences?

Horns, spikes, camouflage, mimicry

What are some examples of prey behavioural defences?

Nocturnality, group living