Predation

Question 1

Apex Animals in Canada

Answer 1

Timberwolves
Black bears (predatory omnivores)
Outwest -> Vancouver Island Possible cougar attacks 2 apex predators known to prey on humans
Behaviours and how behaviours have evolved
Fears coming from past predators
Our evolution of fear and anxiety stems from the past

Question 1

Predation

Answer 1

It covers a lot of ecological interactions
Carnivory: both predator and prey are animals
Herbivory: The predator is an animal, prey are plants or algae
Parasitism: A predator (a parasite) lives symbiotically on or in the prey (its host) and consumes specific tissues
Parasite is harming the other animals it is living with

Question 2

How to Explain the Diversity of Interactions

Answer 2

Carnivores
Herbivores
Autotroph

Question 3

Predator and Prey

Answer 3

Cycles how predator and prey populations interact with each other
Cycles and optimal foraging theory

Question 4

Predation Key Concept 1

Answer 4

Most carnivores have broad diets, whereas a majority of herbivores have relatively narrow diets
Grizzly bear - prey upon elk and deer, salmon
Actual food -> 175 plants, 37 invertebrates, 34 mammals, 7 fungi, 7 birds, 4 fish, 1 amphibian, 1 algae 1 and 1 soil type
Forge on 266 species
Killer whales don’t hunt humans like we thought

Question 5

Encounter Rate

Answer 5

if low, predators (carnivores) should be generalists
Optimal foraging and dietary preferences depend on this

Question 6

Handling Time

Answer 6

if prey are easy to find byt handling time is long
Immobile but less nutritious plants, then predators (herbivores) should be specialists

Question 7

Piscivores

Answer 7

Specalize on fish
Often carnivores concentrate on whatever prey is most abundant ( which is fish)
Sharks prey more on fish than humans because the fish are more abundant

Question 8

Predation Key Concept 2

Answer 8

Predation results in a wide range of capture and avoidance mechanisms

Question 9

The Hunting Strategies

Answer 9

1. Many carnivores forage by moving about about in search of prey (move around to find prey)
   Ex. Wolves, Sharks, Hawks
2. Others remain in one place and attack prey that come within striking distance (stay put and hunt prey who come near them)
   Ex. Moray eels, Some Snakes
3. Others set traps, such as spider webs, or modified leaves of a carnivorous plant (be clever and set traps)

Great white sharks: cover large amounts of area to get large predation gain

Question 10

Adaptions to Escape being Eaten

Answer 10

Size
Speed
Armour
Autotomize - organisms that lose a limb and regrow
Aposematic - organisms use their colour to tell other organisms they are dangerous
Harmful
Nasty
Poisonous

Question 11

Predation Key Concept 3

Answer 11

Predator populations can cycle with their prey populations.
C.B Huffaker constructed a lab experiment
1) more space between oranges?
2) added more oranges and balls
3) vaseline blocks to predatory dispersal
4) added launch pads for the six spotted mites

Question 12

Predation Key Concept 4

Answer 12

Predation can affect prey distribution and abundance, in some cases causing a shift from one community type to another
overpopulating= damaging to the ecosystem