Chapter 14: Predation Flashcards
A type of predator that kills its prey more or less immediately upon capture
true predator
Movement of predators into areas of high prey density
aggregative response
The act of turning to more abundant, alternate prey
prey switching
Relationship in which one living organism serves as a food source for another
predation
Tendency of animals to harvest food efficiently, selecting food sizes or food patches that supply maximum food intake for energy expended
optimal foraging theory
Joint evolution of two or more non-interbreeding species that have a close ecological relationship;
Through reciprocal selective pressures, the evolution of one species in the relationship is partially dependent on the evolution of the other
coevolution
Evolved characteristics that help prey avoid detection or capture
predator defenses
The use by organisms of bitter, distasteful, or toxic secretions that deter potential enemies
chemical defense
A prey species assumes the appearance of some feature in the environment, such as a leaf, to avoid detection
object resemblance
Coloration of organisms that makes them resemble or blend into their habitat or background
cryptic coloration
Hidden markings on animals that, when quickly exposed, startle or divert the attention of a potential predator
flashing coloration
Resemblance of a palatable or harmless species, the mimic, to an unpalatable or dangerous species, the model
Batesian mimicry
Also known as warning coloration
Bold, conspicuous color or markings on an animal that serve as a warning to discourage potential predators
Often possessed by animals that are toxic to predators or use other chemical defenses
aposematism
When many unpalatable or venomous species share a similar color pattern
Müllerian mimicry
Aggressive and submissive postures or actions that threaten or deter enemies
behavioral defenses
Hard outer covering of an animal body, such as shells of turtles and spines of porcupines, that deters or makes the owner somewhat invulnerable to most enemies
protective armor
A predator defense mechanism involving the physiological timing of reproduction by a prey species, plant or animal, to produce a maximum number of seeds or young within a short period—more than predators can possibly consume—thus allowing a greater percentage of offspring to escape
predator satiation
Fixed defense of an organism, such as object resemblance, that deters predators
constitutive defense
Defense response brought about or induced by the presence or action of a predator;
For example, alarm pheromones
induced defense
A type of hunting that means lying in wait for prey to come along
It has a low frequency of success, but requires minimal energy
Ex: some frogs, alligators, crocodiles, lizards, and certain insects
ambush
A deliberate form of hunting with a quick attack
The predator’s search time may be great, but pursuit time is minimal
Ex: herons and some cats
stalking
A type of hunting that involves minimal search time because the predator usually knows the location of the prey, but pursuit time is usually great
Ex: many hawks, lions, wolves, and insectivorous bats
pursuit
What is the difference between stalkers and pursuers?
Stalkers spend more time and energy encountering prey
Pursuers spend more time capturing and handling prey
Feeding on plants
herbivory
Chemicals that are not involved in the basic metabolism of plant cells
secondary compounds
The secondary compounds that are produced by the plant in large quantities
quantitative inhibitors
The secondary compounds that function as defenses against herbivory that are present in small to minute quantities
qualitative inhibitors
Let’s talk about the snowshoe hare-lynx-horned owl interaction
This is an example of a three-level feeding interaction that shows how plant-herbivore and herbivore-carnivore systems are closely related
It involves the cycle of vegetation, snowshoe hares, and their predators (lynx, coyote, and horned owl)
Excessive browsing by large hare population leads to food shortage and poor food quality
Malnourished hares fall quickly to predators, who then arrive at their own food shortage, thus leading to reproduction failure and population decline
Plant growth rebounds upon being released from excessive browsing by hares, who recover because of both plant recovery and decline in predators, and the cycle begins again
A type of harvest that allows population numbers to be maintained or increase over time
sustainable harvest
The maximum rate at which individuals can be harvested from a population without reducing its size;
Recruitment balances harvesting
maximum sustainable yield
