Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of interspecific interaction is characterized by both species negatively impacting each other?
Parasitism leads to the death of the host organism.
False
What is the primary distinction between ectoparasites and endoparasites?
Ectoparasites live on the external surface of the host, while endoparasites live within the tissues of the host.
The _____ is a type of parasite that consumes its host's body while it is still alive.
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Match the following types of consumer-resource interactions with their examples:
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What type of interaction is represented by the symbols +/-?
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Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of different species.
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Define mutualism in ecological terms.
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In ______ mutualism, one species defends another in exchange for food or shelter.
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Match the following types of competition with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is an example of trophic mutualism?
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Dispersive mutualism involves one species providing food in exchange for protection.
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What is the role of honeyguides in mutualistic relationships?
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Which of the following is NOT a defensive mechanism to avoid predation?
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Mullerian mimicry involves non-toxic animals mimicking the appearance of toxic ones.
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What is the term for when plants produce defenses only after being damaged?
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The phrase 'Red touches yellow, kills a fellow' refers to ______ mimicry.
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Match the following types of mimicry with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is an example of a chemical defense in plants?
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All plant defenses are produced constitutively, regardless of damage.
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Name one example of a structural defense in plants.
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Which of the following interactions is characterized by one species benefiting while the other is neither helped nor harmed?
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Ectoparasites live within the tissues of their hosts.
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Explain the primary difference between grazers and browsers in herbivory.
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A __________ is an insect whose larvae consume and kill their host.
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Match the following types of parasites with their characteristics:
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Which mechanism is used by animals to blend in with their environments to avoid predation?
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Chemical defenses in plants are always produced, regardless of whether the plant is damaged.
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What is the term for mimicry where non-toxic animals imitate the color patterns of toxic ones?
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In __________ mimicry, two or more toxic species resemble each other.
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Which of the following is NOT considered a defensive mechanism against predation?
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Match the following plant defenses with their descriptions:
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Spines and thorns are examples of chemical defenses in plants.
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Name one example of a chemical defense produced by plants.
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Which type of competition involves direct interaction between individuals of the same or different species?
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In mutualism, both species involved benefit from the interaction.
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What is the primary role of cleaning mutualism?
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Both bats and hummingbirds participate in ______ competition by sharing the same food source.
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Which of the following is an example of defensive mutualism?
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Commensalism benefits one species while the other is harmed.
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Name one type of mutualism that involves the transport of pollen or seeds.
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Match the following types of mutualism with their descriptions:
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What is the primary goal of modeling predator-prey interactions?
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Empirical observations are primarily based on theory rather than direct experience.
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Which type of control is suggested by the presence of more spiders on islands without lizards?
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The introduced spiders to islands with lizards represents an experimental __________.
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Match the following types of ecology with their descriptions:
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What did the study by Schoener and Toft suggest about predator-prey dynamics?
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Both top-down and bottom-up controls can play roles in population regulation.
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What mathematical modeling aims to achieve in ecological study?
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Study Notes
Interspecific Interactions
- Interspecific interactions can be categorized based on their effect on each species
- +/- = Consumer-Resource
- -/- = Competition
- +/+ = Mutualism
- +/0 = Commensalism
- -/0 = Amensalism
Consumer-Resource Interactions
- Predator-prey
- Parasite-host
- Parasitoid-host
- Herbivore-plant (includes grazing vs. browsing)
- Seed Predator
Predation
- Examples of predation include birds of prey catching fish and snakes eating frogs
Parasitism
- Parasitism is often a symbiotic relationship
- Ectoparasites live externally on the host
- Endoparasites live within the host's tissues
- Parasitism does not always result in the death of the host
- Examples of blood-feeding parasites include mosquitoes, fleas, leeches, ticks
Parasitoid
- Parasitoid insects' larvae consume and kill their host
- Examples include tarantula hawks and Nasonia
Herbivory
- Grazing = consumption of grass and herbs
- Browsing = consumption of woody vegetation
Seed Predator (Granivore)
- Animals that feed on seeds
Defensive Mechanisms
- Ways organisms avoid predation include early detection, swift escape, camouflage (crypsis), chemical defenses, spines/thorns (for protection), and warning colorations (aposematic)
Predator Avoidance Costs
- Examples of costs include the reduction in an animal's activity time when facing a predator and a decrease in the animal's growth rate
Cryptic Coloration
- Organisms use cryptic coloration to blend in with their surroundings
- Examples include insects that look like leaves and the Lithops plant species
Aposematic Warning Coloration
- Bright warning colors associated with toxicity or danger
- Examples include the Western Coral Snake and some caterpillars
Tortoise Beetle and Wild Bergamot
- A specific example of defensive mechanisms
Mullerian Mimicry
- Poisonous animals mimic each other's color patterns
- Examples include certain stinging insects
- The two species work together to create an effective warning signal to predators
Batesian Mimicry
- Non-toxic species mimic the warning coloration of toxic species
- Examples include certain moths and wasps that mimic wasps
Plant Defense
- Structural: Spines, bark
- Chemical: Secondary compounds not related to metabolism/photosynthesis
- Lignin (indigestible)
- Morphine, nicotine (poisons)
- Latex (poison/gum)
- Constitutive defenses are always produced, while induced defenses occur after the plant is damaged
- A trade-off exists between producing secondary compounds and primary compounds crucial for growth
Mutualism
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Trophic mutualism involves complementary ways of receiving food (e.g., cows and cellulose-digesting bacteria, giant tubeworms and symbiotic bacteria)
-
Defensive mutualism involves defending a partner for food or shelter (e.g. cleaning mutualism in fish, ants and plants)
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Dispersive mutualism involves transporting pollen or seeds (e.g., pollination by animals, seed dispersal)
Commensalism
- Antbirds and army ants (antbirds feed on insects disturbed by army ants)
- Remora (fish) and sharks (remora attach themselves to a shark)
- Epiphytes (plants) on trees (epiphytes get support from the tree)
Amensalism
- Organisms of different species affect each other negatively.
- Examples include a dominant organism that limits the growth or survival of a species
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Description
Test your knowledge on interspecific interactions, including consumer-resource dynamics, predation, parasitism, and herbivory. This quiz explores different relationships such as mutualism, competition, and commensalism. Assess your understanding of these ecological concepts and their significance in ecosystems.