Transcript Species Interactions Bio Intro Interactions between Speciesx

Species Interactions
Brainstorm!
Species Interactions
What is “Fitness”?
Fitness: the ability of an organism to survive,
reproduce, and pass along genes to the next
generation
Species Interactions
Change in Fitness as a
Result of the
Interaction
+ net gain of fitness
0 no net change of
fitness
- net loss of fitness
Fitness: the ability of an organism to survive,
reproduce, and pass along genes to the next
generation
Predation
 Definition: One species eats
another
 Example: Carnivore,
omnivore, herbivore,
parasite, parasitoid
 Symbol: +/-
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Parasitism
 one organism (parasite)
obtains its food at the expense
of another organism (host)
 Mosquitoes, tapeworms,
leeches
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Prey Adaptations
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Predator Adaptations
 Adaptations that predators
have that allows them to catch
their prey.
 Speed
 Agility
 Camouflage
 Packs
 Claws
 Teeth
Competition
 Definition: Neither organism
benefits from the interaction
(competition for the same
resources is often involved)
 Example: Different predators
competing for the same prey,
Oh Deer!
 Symbol: -/-
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What can happen?
Competitive Exclusion
(There’s a winner and a
loser) 
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
ResourcePartitioning
(Divide up who gets to
use what resources)
Mutualism
 Definition: Both organisms benefit
from the interaction
 Example: cleaner wrasse cleaning
fish teeth, bees pollinating flowers,
digestive bacteria and humans
 Symbol: +/+
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To The Aquarium!
 3 minutes per area—
making observations on the
Graphic Organizer
 Look for details (they will
make you happy!)
 Enjoy yourself, but
remember that you are a
scientist and an academic!
 Today, you may observe
the rays in the touch tank,
but save the touching for
another time.
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Fitness?!?
Turn to your neighbor and remind each other what
“fitness” means in ecology
Fitness: the ability of an organism to survive, reproduce, and pass
along genes to the next generation
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Neutralism
 Definition: Two organisms
interact but have no effect on
each other.
 Example: Some members of
tide pool communities
 Symbol: 0/0
* It is important to remember
that this is not the absence of
interaction. It is just that the
interactions do not impact the
fitness of either organism.*
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Commensalism
 Definition: Interaction where one
organism benefits and the other
organism is neither harmed nor
benefitted.
 Example: Cattle egret and cattle,
barnacle and whale
 Symbol: +/0
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Amensalism
 Definition: One organism
negatively impacts another
organism, but it not
impacted itself.
 Example: Penicillium
bacteria and other bacteria,
black walnut tree and other
plants (growth inhibitors)
 Symbol: -/0
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