SpeciesInteractionsBb

Page 1: Video References

• End7 video: Watch Video

• Praying Mantis predation: 3:34 Watch Video

• Wasp/Aphid parasitoid: 1:59 Watch Video

• Cuckoo/Reed Warbler: 3:57 Watch Video

• Tongue Louse: 1:57 Watch Video

• Hippo/Fish mutualism: 1:20 Watch Video

• Pearlfish/Sea Cucumber commensalism: 3:19 Watch Video

• Acacia Ants: Watch Video

Page 2: Moon Lecture Highlights

• Subject: Global Health Innovations

• Recognition:

  • 2009 Forbes’ “Most Powerful Innovators”

  • $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainable Innovation

  • Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award

• Date & Times: Tuesday, March 25 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

• Speaker: Joel Selanikio, M.D.

Page 3: Species Coexistence

• Inquiry: How can so many species coexist?

Page 4: Species Diversity Statistics

• Number of species on Earth:

  • Approximately 2.1 million named

  • Estimates range from 3 million to few billion total (10 - 30 million)

• Role of Taxonomists and Systematists: Categorizing diversity

Page 5: Coexistence vs. Selection

• Question: Wouldn't selection reduce the number of species?

Page 6: Geographic Locations

• Notable places:

  • Funchal, Ocean, Casablanca, Rabet, Morocco

  • Cities including Algiers, Tunis, Cairo, and others across the Mediterranean and African regions

  • Indication of biodiversity and ecosystem diversity throughout regions from Europe to Africa

Page 7: Shell Selection in Beetles

• Directional selection favored thin shells.

• Intermediate and thick shells favored under different conditions.

  • Selection Types:

    • (a) Directional selection

    • (b) Stabilizing selection

    • (c) Disruptive selection

Page 8: Natural Selection Types

• Natural selection mechanisms:

  • Directional Selection: Drives a trait in one direction

  • Stabilizing Selection: Favors intermediate traits

  • Disruptive Selection: Traits diverge in multiple directions

Page 9: Freshwater Flatworm Study

• Study of Planaria presence in cold mountain streams

  • Index physical attributes and environmental responsiveness shown in temperature gradient analysis.

Page 10: Flour Beetle Experiment

• Classical experiment with Tribolium species:

  • Species A prefers warm/dry, while Species B prefers cool/wet conditions

  • Coexistence is not possible; each survives in their preferred environment

Page 11: Ecological Niches Defined

• Components of an ecological niche:

  • Species habitat

  • Activities of the species

  • Resources needed by the species

Page 12: Niche Examples in Warblers

• Different warbler species feeding at various heights in spruce trees:

  • Bay-breasted Warbler: Feeds in the middle part

  • Cape May Warbler: Feeds at the tips

  • Yellow-rumped Warbler: Feeds in lower parts

Page 13: Barnacles Niche Comparison

• Species comparison of Chthamalus and Balanus:

  • Fundamental vs. realized niches depicted based on tidal zones.

Page 14: Niche Adaptation

• Definition of ecological niche including:

  • Fundamental and realized niches

  • Niche separation by resource utilization

  • Generalist vs. specialist species comparison

Page 15: Broad vs. Narrow Niches

• Generalist species:

  • Broader niches, wider resource range

• Specialist species:

  • Narrower niches, specific requirements

Page 21: Human Impact on Biodiversity

• Observation: Humans have significantly altered biodiversity.

Page 22: Introduction of Exotic Species

• Consequences of introducing exotic species:

  • Often become pests due to lack of natural controls

  • Fill available niches, leading to ecological imbalance

Page 23: Tamarisk Example

• Species identification: Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) and its ecological effects.

Page 24: Kudzu Example

• Exploration of Kudzu and its invasion characteristics.

Page 25: Extinction Review

• Species removed from endangered list: Mariana mallard (extinct) and Quam broadbill in Hawaii.