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Population Ecology > Overview > Flashcards

Overview Flashcards

1
Q

Define population ecology

A

The dynamics of species populations and how these populations interact with the environment.

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2
Q

What is fitness ?

A

The ability of an organism to survive long enough to reproduce
& how many offspring are produced

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3
Q

What is direct fitness ?

A

The number or offspring an individual produces, due to its direct reproductive efforts

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4
Q

How is indirect fitness calculated ?

A

Adding the relations of that individual and multiplying this sum by the degree of relatedness

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5
Q

What is inclusive fitness ?

A

The total proportion of genes that an individual organism contributes to the next generation
(through rearing or through its own behaviour)

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6
Q

What can fitness also be applied to ?

A

Alleles and genotypes

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7
Q

What does the fitness of alleles depend on ?

A

External Factors, such as selection pressure

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8
Q

Define Life history

A

The significant features of the life cycle through which an organism passes, with particular emphasis on aspects and strategies affecting survival and reproduction.

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9
Q

What is indirect fitness ?

A

The shared genes with kin other than the direct offspring of an individual

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10
Q

What is a life history trait ?

A

An investment in growth, reproduction, and survivorship.

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11
Q

What is the goal of life history theory ?

A

To understand the variation in life history strategies.

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12
Q

What are intrinsic factors of organisms ?

A

Factors specific to each organism which are built into the genetic basis of each species

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13
Q

What are extrinsic factors of organisms ?

A

The environmental constraints placed on an organism

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14
Q

What is deterministic environmental variability ?

A

A change from a previous norm

Will not usually effect animal life histories

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15
Q

What is stochastic environmental variability ?

A

Random variation

Will impact organisms, particularly larvae

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16
Q

Why did larvae evolve ?

A

Balances parental self care Vs care of offspring

Do not compete for same food sources

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17
Q

Why is natural selection known as a moving target ?

A

The environment is continually changing, This variation creates stressful situations for organisms which requires them to evolve

18
Q

What is the evolutionary response to change ?

A

Delay maturation

Longer life span

19
Q

What is the evolutionary benefit of a longer life span ?

A

Enables reproduction to occur more than once

20
Q

What is the evolutionary advantage of delaying maturation ?

A

Increases chance of producing viable offspring

Stabilises fitness over the long term

21
Q

What are the 2 outcomes of environmental catastrophes for organisms ?

A

Extinction of populations

Selection for life stages that tolerate harsh conditions

22
Q

Give an example of catastrophe adapted organisms

A

Plants in wildfire habitats

Have protection from heat (thick bark) and increased growth after fire

23
Q

What leads to the evolution of timed life history strategies, such as hibernation ?

A

Predictable environmental cycles

24
Q

What differs between R and K selection theories ?

A

The number of offspring

The timing of reproduction

25
Q

Give the key features of R selected organisms.

A 
Large number of offspring 
Reproduce early 
High Mortality rate 
Minimal parental care 
Short lifespan
26
Q

What type of environment are R selected species suited to ?

A

An unstable environment

27
Q

Give the key features of the K selected organisms

A 
Low number of offspring 
Reproduce multiple times 
Low mortality rate 
High parental investment 
Long lifespan
28
Q

What type of environment are K selected species suited to ?

A

Stable environments

29
Q

What is adaption ?

A

Evolutionary process over many generations where an organism becomes better adapted to their habitat.

30
Q

What is Bergmann’s rule ?

A

Species of a larger size are found in colder environments,
(Smaller SA:V, lose less heat)

Species of smaller size are found in warmer regions.
(Bigger SA:V, lose more heat)

31
Q

Give a species which demonstrates Bergmann’s rule

A

White tailed deer, found across America

Small in hot climates
Bigger in colder climates

32
Q

What is Allen’s rule ?

A

In a warm-blooded animal species

Limbs, ears, and other appendages of the animal are shorter in a colder climate
(Conserve heat)

Limbs, ears and other appendages of the same animal are longer in warmer climates
(Lose heat)

33
Q

What is Glogers rule ?

A

Within a species of endotherms, more heavily pigmented forms tend to be found in more humid environments, near the equator.

34
Q

Why is pigment useful in an humid environment ?

A

Increased melanin

Resits bacterial attack, a serious threat in humid environments

35
Q

What is acclimatisation ?

A

A process by which an organism adapts to a gradual change in the environment throughout its lifestyle

36
Q

Acclimatisation can be part of a periodic cycle or just a one off event.

Give an example of a cyclical acclimatisation.

A

Moulting in mammals

37
Q

What is phenotypic plasticity ?

A

The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment

38
Q

What does phenotypic plasticity most commonly occur in ?

A

Plants, as they are immobile,

Seeds will be scattered in different habitats so require different adaptions

39
Q

State an organism which shows phenotypic plasticity

A

Dandelion can adapt to;

Shady and moist
Sunny and moist
Sunny and dry

40
Q

The adaptions of an organism to their habitat via phenotypic plasticity are always permanent

True or False ?

A

False, the changes may or may not be permanent

Population Ecology (6 decks)

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