Community Ecology and Species Interactions

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to community ecology and species interactions as discussed in the lecture.

Community

A group of populations of different species living in close proximity and interacting with each other.

Population

A single species that inhabits a particular area.

Interspecific interactions

Interactions that occur between individuals of different species.

Competitive exclusion principle

The principle stating that two species that compete for the same resources cannot coexist permanently.

Ecological niche

The specific set of resources (biotic and abiotic) an organism uses in its environment.

Fundamental niche

The potential range of environmental conditions where a species can survive and reproduce.

Realized niche

The actual conditions and resources a species uses in the presence of competitors.

Character displacement

The tendency for characteristics to diverge in sympatric populations compared to allopatric ones.

Exploitation

An interaction where one species benefits while the other is harmed.

Predation

An interaction in which one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey).

Herbivory

An interaction in which an herbivore consumes parts of a plant.

Parasitism

An interaction where a parasite benefits at the expense of the host.

Niche partitioning

The process by which competing species use the environment differently in a way that helps them coexist.

Mechanical defenses

Physical structures like spines or shells that protect organisms from predators.

Chemical defenses

Toxic substances produced by organisms to deter predators.

Cryptic coloration

Coloration that allows an organism to blend in with its environment, making it less visible to predators.

Batesian mimicry

A form of mimicry where a harmless species resembles a harmful or unpalatable one.

Müllerian mimicry

A form of mimicry where two unpalatable species resemble each other.

Community

A group of populations of different species living in close proximity and interacting with each other.

Population

A single species that inhabits a particular area.

Interspecific interactions

Interactions that occur between individuals of different species.

Competitive exclusion principle

The principle stating that two species that compete for the same resources cannot coexist permanently.

Ecological niche

The specific set of resources (biotic and abiotic) an organism uses in its environment.

Fundamental niche

The potential range of environmental conditions where a species can survive and reproduce.

Realized niche

The actual conditions and resources a species uses in the presence of competitors.

Character displacement

The tendency for characteristics to diverge in sympatric populations compared to allopatric ones.

Exploitation

An interaction where one species benefits while the other is harmed.

Predation

An interaction in which one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey).

Herbivory

An interaction in which an herbivore consumes parts of a plant.

Parasitism

An interaction where a parasite benefits at the expense of the host.

Niche partitioning

The process by which competing species use the environment differently in a way that helps them coexist.

Mechanical defenses

Physical structures like spines or shells that protect organisms from predators.

Chemical defenses

Toxic substances produced by organisms to deter predators.

Cryptic coloration

Coloration that allows an organism to blend in with its environment, making it less visible to predators.

Batesian mimicry

A form of mimicry where a harmless species resembles a harmful or unpalatable one.

Müllerian mimicry

A form of mimicry where two unpalatable species resemble each other.

Symbiosis

A general term for close and often long-term interactions between two or more different biological species.

Mutualism

An interspecific interaction in which both species benefit from the relationship.

Commensalism

An interspecific interaction in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped.