POP DYN - Quiz 5 (predator prey relationships)

Why do we care about predator prey relationships?

• conservation

• control

• harvest

Conservation

of prey or predator, influence each other’s growth, protect species and habitats

Control

nuisance species, predators control nuisance species

Harvest

removal of species

Predation

Ecological process in which energy and matter flow from one species to another species.

What are the 4 different types of predation?

• carnivory

• herbivory

• parasitism

• cannibalism

Carnivory

Classic predation, a predator eating another animal - predation on vertebrates

Herbivory

Predator eats some or all plant species, harms plant in some way 

Parasitism

Parasites feed on prey but does not kill the prey

Cannibalism

Consume another individual of the same species

What are some prey species’ defenses to avoid predators? 

• Physical protection

• coloration or mimicry

• behavioral adaptations

• Chemical such as plant toxins

Satiation of prey

• Synchronized breeding and flooding the environment

• Prey out number predators to overwhelm them

• Produce lots of young so predators only take small amount of the pop.

Ecological Naivete

Prey species fail to recognize a predator 

Trophic Cascade

Ecological process that starts at the top of the food chain and cascades down

Keystone predator

A predator whose actions within the environment result in an increase in biodiversity and ecosystem stability

Competition Release

 A predator species is removed from competition , and another prey population can increase 

How do we understand predator behavior an their influences on prey? 

• identify predator species 

• Competition among predator species

• prey vulnerability

• predator responses

1. Identify predator species

Ex. (Coyote, bobcat, mountain lions etc)

What are the two types of predator species?

Generalist predator

Specialist predator

Generalist predator

Feeds on multiple prey species (stable population)

Specialist Predator

Predatory relies on one type of prey species. (Less stable population)

2. Competition among predator species

Relates to territoriality of predators, keep prey population below K

What are the two types of competition among predator species ?

Interspecific & Intraspecific competition

Interspecific Competition

Competition happening between different species for limited resources

Intraspecific Competition

Competition between the same species for limited resources

3. Prey Vulnerability

Susceptibility that the prey will be caught by a predator influenced by factors like sex, age, environment , and physical conditions.

What are the 5 factors that influence prey vulnerability?

• Presents and density of alternative prey

• Variation in individual of prey species

• General activity of their prey species

• Environmental Conditions (management practices)

• Indirect effects

Presents and density of alternative prey

Predators have a lot more options on prey

Variation in individuals of prey species

Sex, age, physical conditions and individuals behavior

General activity of their prey species

The group size, being solitary

Environmental conditions (management practices)

Weather conditions, climate

Indirect effects

Ecology of fear principle - indirect effect on prey where they can identify danger in that area and deploy that area.

4. Predator response to prey density ( what are the 4 different easy they respond to this?)

• Functional response

• Developmental response

• Aggregative response

• Numerical response

Functional response

Changing behavior in short term

Developmental response

Predator learning throughout their lifetime

Aggregating response

Predators aggregate in one area with high prey abundance

Numerical response

Predator reproduce to take advantage of growing populations.

Conversion Efficiency

How predators convert food to energy for reproduction and survival.

What are the 3 types of functional response curves ?

Type 1 curve

Type 2 curve

Type 3 curve

Type 1

Linear to prey density, predator can keep up with increasing prey

Assumption type 1

Search random, search constantly, and unlimited appetite

Type 2

Curvey linear response

Relax the assumption that predators search constantly, accounts for the handling of prey

Type 3

Developing search image for prey, ID prey in beginning of the curve, actively seeking prey items 2nd part of the curve