Interspecific Relationships Flashcards
Describe what an interspecific relationship is
An interaction or relationship between members of different species
Explain what causes interspecific competition
Interspecific competition is when different species fight over a shared food source or other resources. It results in aggressive behaviours and fighting, except this will more likely be to the death. Interspecific competition is caused by a lack of resources or the sharing of resources, where each species tries to get the most for itself.
Describe what exploitation is and list the three types
Exploitation is when one species benefits at the expense of another species. Exploitation involved predation, herbivory and parasitism.
Some species have evolved partnerships where they both benefit (mutualism) or one species benefits with no cost to the other (commensalism).
What is predation?
Predation is where one animal hunts and feeds on another
What is herbivory?
Herbivory is a type of predation, which involves one animal species feeding on a plant species
What is parasitism?
Parasitism involves one organism (the parasite) living in or inside another species (the host)
Define and describe mutualism
Mutualism is the relationship between two different species, where both species benefit and help each other out (with members of the same species it is called cooperation).
Mutualism can involve doing jobs or services for each other, or one species can do a job in return for resources (food, space, etc).
Define and describe commensalism
Commensalism is the relationship between two different species where one benefits with the other is unaffected.
The benefit usually comes from the supply of food, shelter or transport, and usually involves a large host and a small commensal (one benefitting).
What is mimicry?
A sneaky way of avoiding predators, where one species resembles another in some way. This could be by mimicking appearance, behaviour, sounds or smells.
What are the two types of mimicry?
Batesian and Müllerian
Define and describe Batesian mimicry
Batesian mimicry is where a harmless species mimics a dangerous or poisonous one.
Predators will see the mimic and think that they are poisonous and will make them sick, therefore backing off. The Batesian mimicry helps protects the species against predators.
Define and describe the Müllerian mimicry
Müllerian mimicry is where two unpalatable species mimic each other’s warning signals.
If there are two unpalatable species that don’t resemble each other, a predator will eat one species and then, once they find out they don’t like it, will try the next species. Therefore it is more beneficial to both species to resemble each other, so the predators learn not to eat either species because they look the same and the predator doesn’t like them.
