3BIO interspecific & intraspecific relationships

Nocturnal

Active by night

Crepuscular

Active by dawn/dusk

Inter-specific relationship/interaction

The interaction between members of different species

Symbiosis

Interaction between two different biological species

Mutualism

Both benefit

Exploitation

One benefit, One harmed

Commensalism

One benefit, One unaffected

Competition

Both harmed

Predation

Predator species feed of prey species

True predation

True predators KILL and eat LIVING prey

Grazers and Browsers

Generally only eat a small part of the plant allowing it to regrow

Grazers feed on

plants like grasses

Browsers feed on

leaves or fruits of larger higher growing plants

Crypsis

coloration or pattern that make an organism less noticeable in its environment

Batesian Mimicry

When a harmless animal mimics a more dangerous one

Mullerian Mimicry

When a group of poisonous/danger species have the same warning coloration

Intra-specific Interaction/Relationship

Interaction between members of the same species

Competition

Organisms of the same species have identical ecological niches and therefore require and compete for the same resources (food, water, space, light, mates)

Group Formation Advantages

Pack hunting (bigger prey, less energy), safety in numbers, protection, clumping, division of work load, specialization, mates available, assistance rearing young

Group Formation Disadvantages

Increased chances of conflict, Increased spread of disease

Hierarchy

A linear or almost linear social structure where a group of individuals are arranged according to dominance. Each animal is dominant over those below it and submissive to those above it

Advantages of a Hierarchy

Members of the same species are competing for the same resources which results in aggression which could cost the species. A hierarchy is a more stable group in which aggression and fighting is reduced.

How position in Hierarchy is determined

Size, age, experience/knowledge, ability to produce offspring, strength

Agonistic Behaviors

The way dominance hierarchies and territorial boundaries are maintained eg. Aggressive displays, Ritualized Fighting

Aggressive Displays

push, slap, shoves or bites of subordinates to remind "whose boss" and keep them in place

Ritualized Fighting

When determining superiority, fights are ritualized in a way that strength is tested but without the risk of injury/death
eg. Deer lock horns and push to test strength rather than gore vulnerable parts of opposition

Young Individuals in Hierarchies

Must learn how to behave in hierarchies. They have signal that separates them from mature adults so their inappropriate behavior is tolerated

Dominance Displays (5)

1. Stature large/erect
2. Head/Tail erect
3. Eyeballing
4. Teeth exposed
5. Vocalizations: Snarling, growling

Submissive displays (7)

1. Stature small/cowering
2. Vulnerable body parts exposed (belly, throat)
3. Tail down
4. Head/eyes down or averted
5. Teeth not displayed
6. Bowing
7. Vocalizations: whimpering, whining

Kin Selection

An organism having self sacrificing behavior towards another related individual to promote survival of genes. Including rearing the young of their relatives

Altruism

An organism having self sacrificing behavior towards another unrelated individual for the benefit of the group

Monogamy

When a breeding pair forms a partnership for the duration of mating season or life

Polygamy

Practice of taking multiple spouses/mates

Polygyny

Male mates with several females

Polyandry

Female mates with several males

Polygynandry

Males and Females mate with multiple mates (orgy)

R Parental Care Strategy

(Relaxed)- Energy invested in making multiple offspring but little care in ensuring their survival

K Parental Care Strategy

(Karing)- Energy invested in caring for the few offspring to ensure their survival

Courtship signals (4)

1. Sounds
2. Chemicals
3. Touch
4. Visual Displays

Advantages of Courtship (4)

1. Ensuring mating is occurring between individuals of the same species
2. Ensuring each is in a state of readiness
3. Suppressing aggressive behavior
4. Allows for natural selection

Pair Bond

A stable relationship between animals of the opposite sex that ensures cooperative behavior in mating and the rearing of young

Territory

Geographical area that an individual or group of individuals actively defends.
A place where young can be raised safely
Usually containing a breeding ground/nest site at the center

How can Territories be marked out

Movements (displays), sounds (calling), Smell (scent)

Home Range

Wider geographic area surrounding the territory where they seldom leave. Is not actively defended and can overlap other home ranges

Adaptations

Inherited characteristics that enable individuals to survive or reproduce more effectively.

Structural Adaptations

Physical structures that make organisms successful in their habitats

Physiological Adaptations

System present in organism that allow it to perform certain biochemical reactions

Behavioral Adaptations

The way members of a species act in order to survive

Tolerance

An organisms capacity to survive variations in environmental conditions

habitat

Place where an organism lives

Niche

An organism's particular role in an ecosystem

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

parasite

An organism that lives on or in a host and causes harm to the host (but does not kill it)

parisitoids

Intermediate between predators and parasites, develop on host, kill it and eat it.

Gause's competitive exclusion principle

If two species have the same niche they cannot remain for long in the same habitat. One will lose out and be eliminated (or at least reduced to a very small population.)

Allelopathy

The production of chemicals by plants that inhibit the growth of neighbouring plants

Zonation

prominent horizontal banding of organisms that live in a particular habitat

Stratification

prominent vertical banding of organisms that live in a particular habitat

diurnal

active during the day

Aposematic signaling

features that signal to predators or competitors to stay away e.g. colour, patterning, odour, sound

Advantages of courtship behaviour

Individuals can recognise sexually mature members of their own species of the opposite sex, synchronise mating, form a pair bond, and successfully breed with healthy individuals

Advantages to being a parasite

you have shelter, protection and don't have to use energy going to find food

Disadvantages of being a parasite

You are dependent on your host - if you kill them or they die there is no food. If there are few hosts there is a a larger chance of interbreeding resulting in lower genetic fitness

partial parasite

a parasitic plant that still photosynthesises to gain some of its food