Lecture 6 - Feeding III Flashcards
What does the Eltonian pyramid describe?
Biomass decreases with
increasing trophic level
What are the reasons for the Eltonian pyramid?
energy is lost due to
Assimilation efficiency
Respiration
What are the characteristics of Animal material as food?
Easy to digest Rapid to assimilate Can be difficult to ingest Locate Capture
What are the characteristics of Vegetation as food?
Abundant
Difficult to digest
Slow to assimilate
What are the characteristics of Fruits, nectar, seeds,
exudates as food?
Patchily distributed
Easier to digest
More rapidly assimilated
What are the features of Fish(Osteichthyes) Carnivores?
Large stomach
Short intestine
Wide gape
Teeth prevent escape
What are the features of Fish(Osteichthyes) Herbivores?
Reduced stomach
Long intestine
Narrow gape
Teeth for crushing or scraping food
What are the feeding habits of Amphibian Larvae?
wide range of feeding type Carnivores Omnivores Herbivores Detritivores
What are the feeding characteristics of adult amphibians?
Carnivores
Swallow prey whole
Dentition weak
Tongue
are most reptiles meat eaters or plant eaters?
while reptiles can be Carnivores, Omnivores, herbivores most species trend towards meat eating?
What is the range of diets found in birds?
Carnivores and insectivores Granivores Nectarivores Frugivores Herbivores
What feeding modifications have birds made due to flight?
No teeth
Gizzard
What are the features of the Invertebrates as a food type?
Exoskeleton
Easily digested
What adaptations have insectivores made to counter exoskeletons?
Cutting-grinding teeth to Puncture and crush exoskeletons
What kind of guts do most insectivores have?
Short, simple guts
What are the features of vertebrates of as food?
Exposed flesh
Easily digested
often have Defenses
What kind of teeth do species that eat vertebrates usually have?
Shearing/Tearing teeth
What are the features of Nectar/pollen as a food type?
Liquid/particulate Easily digested Low in protein Patchily distributed Difficult to access
What is the disadvantage of eating nectar/pollen?
Low in protein
Patchily distributed
Difficult to access
What adaptations have nectavores evolved to counteract these disadvantages?
Short, simple guts
-High intake
-Supplement diet
Highly mobile/agile
Brushy tongueWhat are the features of fleshy fruits as food?
Fleshy
Easily digested
Patchily distributed
Difficult to access
What the feeding adaptations of fruit eaters?
Simple crushing teeth
Short, simple guts
Highly mobile
What are the features of exudates as a food source?
Must seep from a wound in tree Relatively easily digested Low in protein Patchily distributed
What adaptations have animals that eat plant exudates evolved?
Wounding weapons Short, simple guts High intake Supplemented diet Highly mobile
