Ecology Flashcards

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1
Q

Ecology

A

is the study of how organisms interact with each other (biotic) and the physical environment (abiotic)

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2
Q

Biotic Factors

A

living component of an ecosystem. Examples?
Predation, competition for resources, mate competition, parasitism, etc.

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3
Q

Abiotic Factors

A

non-living chemical and physical factors. Examples?
Temperature, water availability, sunlight, soil, water chemistry, etc.

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4
Q

Abiotic factors are typically density-independent

A

These factors influence the size and growth of a population reguardless of population density

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5
Q

Biotic factors are typically density-dependent

A

These factors influence the size and growth of a population depending on population density

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6
Q

Ecological Heirarchy

A

Organism – An individual living thing

Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in an area

Community – Populations of different species living together in an area

Ecosystem – Functional system of a community, its non-living environment, and the interactions between them

Landscape – A heterogeneous area including an array of ecosystems

Biome

Biosphere – All living things on Earth and the areas they inhabit

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7
Q

Biological Interaction

A

effect that organisms in a community have on each other

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8
Q

Intraspecific

A

interactions- within a species

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9
Q

Interspecific

A

interactions- between species

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10
Q

5 Species Interactions

A

Predation
Competition
Mutualism
Parasitism
Commensalism

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11
Q

Coevolution

A

reciprocal influence of closely associated species

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12
Q

Predation

A

Members of one species (predator) kills and feeds on members of another species (prey)

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13
Q

Predator Prey Interactions

A

Intense natural selection pressures predator and prey populations to adapt to each other

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14
Q

Predator Avoidances (5)

A

Camouflage

Chemical warfare

Warning coloration

Mimicry

Behavioral strategies

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15
Q

Biological Camouflage

A

Cryptic coloration, patterning, and/or morphology adapted to the environment

Masks location, identity, and movements

Can be seasonal in some ecosystems

Used by both predators and prey

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16
Q

Concealing Coloration

A

organisms blend in with their surroundings

17
Q

Disruptive Coloration

A

colors and patterns break up outline of organism

18
Q

Countershading

A

dorsal and ventral coloring differences

19
Q

Poisonous

A

(passive)- organisms contain toxins within their tissues which is released upon disturbance (eaten, touched, etc.)

20
Q

Venomous

A

(active)- organisms intentionally deliver toxins via stinger/fang/spine, etc.

21
Q

Aposematic

A

coloration and pattern displays warn predators that prey are not worth attacking

22
Q

Reverse Countershading

A

makes organisms conspicuous signaling defensive abilities

23
Q

Why is warning coloration counterintuitive to evolution?

A

It can make individuals more susceptible to being seen and counters camouflage

24
Q

So how is warning coloration beneficial?

A

Warning coloration is beneficial to populations rather than individuals

Some individuals will sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the species

25
Q

Mimicry

A

an evolved resemblance of an organism

Some mimic objects
Some mimic other organisms
Some mimic themselves

26
Q

Batesian Mimicry

A

a harmless species utilize aposematic coloration, etc. of another species

27
Q

Mullerian Mimicry

A

Convergence of two species, reinforce the effect

28
Q

Automimicry

A

imitation of structures like: head, eyes, antennae, etc.
Changes the point of attack on the prey

29
Q

Eyespot Mimcry

A

resembles eye of another animal, or automimicry

30
Q

Prey Behavioral Tactics

A

Prey have adapted many behaviors to avoid being eaten
Nocturnal behavior
Startling behavior
“Playing possum”
Distraction
Safety in numbers
Alarm/alert
Mobbing behavior
Autotomy