Ecology Flashcards
evolution
when a species gradually changes over generations and become better adapted to new conditions.
How did Darwin come to hypothesize about evolution?
by observing organisms on the Galapagos, like finches
adaptation
behavioral or physical characteristics that allows an organism to survive and/or reproduce in its environment
camouflage
a trait that makes it very hard to see an animal in its natural habitat
- camouflaged animals have the best chance to survive
- result of genetic diversity, mutation, or inherited
Name the 5 main types of camouflage
- Concealing coloration
- Disruptive coloration
- Disguises
- Counter shading
- Mimicry
concealing coloration
using coloration to hide against a background of the same color
ex. many arctic animals have white fur to blend with snow
disruptive coloration
breaks up the solid outline of an animal with spots, stripes, or other patterns so that the animal doesn’t stick out against the background
ex. Sumatran tiger stripes help hiding in tall grasses
disguises
when animals or parts of their bodies resemble objects in their environment
ex. Walking stick
counter shading
When the coloration of the upper parts of an animal is darker than its undersides. This causes the effect of sunlight to be counteracted.
ex. whale blends with ocean floor
mimicry
an animal copies, or mimics, a color or form of something else
ex. Viceroy vs. Monarch butterfly
natural selection
individuals whose unique characteristics are best suited for the environment tend to survive and produce offspring
niche (4)
role of an organism in its habitat, or how it makes a living
INCLUDES:
-type of food organism eats
-how it obtains this food
-which other organisms use this organism as food
-when and how the organism reproduces and the physical conditions it requires to survive
adapting…
increases ability to survive; environmental change drives adaptations
Some behavior cycles are related to ________
seasons
hibernation
a state of greatly reduced body activity that occurs during the winter when the food is scarce
What happens to the body during hibernation?
- all of the body processes, like breathing and heartbeat, slow down
- –the slowdown reduces the animal’s need for food
- bodies use stored fat to meet nutritional needs
migration
the regular, seasonal journey of an animal from one place to another and back again
Where do animals usually migrate to?
areas that provide a lot of food or a good environment for reproduction (REPRODUCTIVE MIGRATION)
Most migrations are related to the ______ _______ and take place ______ a year, in the _______ and in the ____.
…changing seasons…twice…spring…fall
What have scientists discovered on how migrating animals find their way?
animals use sight, taste, and other senses, including some that humans do not have
competition
–if two species occupy the same niche, one of the species will eventually die off, as a result of COMPETITION:
the struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resource
→limited amounts of food, water, and shelter
→adaptations reduce competition
predation
an interaction in which one organism kills another for food (PREDATOR kills PREY)
→if there are many predators, there may be a decrease in population of their prey, which decreases population of predators when there is not enough food
predator adaptations
help to catch and kill prey
ex. cheetahs run fast for a short amount of time; sundew bulbs; speed, sensitive hearing, poisonous, large eyes
prey adaptations
help avoid becoming prey
ex. alertness and speed of antelope
Name 3 defense strategies
- protective covering
- false coloring
- warning coloring
protective covering
shell
ex. when threatened, the pangolin protects itself by rolling into a scaly ball
false coloring
pattern on an organism that makes it look dangerous
ex. large false eyespots on moth wings scare predators away and make them think that they are they eyes of a large mammal
warning coloring
bright colors signals to predators that it is poisonous
symbiosis
a close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species
mutualism
a relationship in which both species benefit
commensalism
a relationship in which one species benefits and the other remains unaffected
parasitism
involves one organism living on or inside another organism and harming it
-PARASITE benefits; lives in HOST
What are three factors that affect the process of natural selection?
Variation, overproduction, and competition
Ectotherm
an animal whose body doesn’t produce much internal heat. Its body temperature changes depending on the temperature of its environment.
-“coldblooded”
Endotherm
an animal whose body regulates its own temperature by controlling the internal heat it produces. Its body temperature does not change much, even when the temperature of the environment changes.