Species Interactions

Brainstorm!

Species Interactions

Fitness: the ability of an organism to survive, reproduce, and pass along genes to the next

generation

What is “Fitness”?

Species InteractionsChange 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?

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Competitive Exclusion (There’s a winner and a

loser)

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

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Fitness: the ability of an organism to survive, reproduce, and pass along genes to the next generation

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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