Predation Flashcards
What is predation?
When one species serves as a resource for the other. There are clear asymmetric benefits.
What are the four types of predatory relationships?
Predators sensu latu, herbivores, parasites and parasitoids.
What are typical characteristics of predators?
They consume the whole prey (such as carnivores, raptors, reptiles, frogs and spiders) and remove the prey from the population. The predators are often larger than their prey - except in cooperatively hunting animals such as wild dogs.
What is herbivory?
When animals eat whole plants of parts of plants, such as ungulates, plant-eating fish and many insects.
What are parasites?
Organisms that consume parts of living prey organisms. They often attach themselves to the body of their host and fully depend on a host. They typically do NOT kill their host.
What are parasitoids?
Wasps and flies whose larvae consume the tissues of living host. The larvae typically kill the host.
What is the Lotka Volterra model?
Model for predator-prey relationships.
What is C in the lotka volterra equation for prey?
Capture efficiency.
What is a in the lotka volterra equation for predator?
reproduction conversion.
What is the equation for prey population?
dN/dt = rprey V- cVP
What is the equation for predator population?
dN/dt = acVP - dP.
What is the equilibrium point in isoclines?
Where equilibrium isoclines for predator and prey cross.
Do the models agree with actual data?
Yes - the interaction is sufficient enough to generate cycling.
Why might cycles be dampened in many natural populations?
A switch to alternative preys along with life-history traits.
What was an experiment done on waders?
Waders were excluded from some patches and after 13 days the prey densities were compared between excluded and control sites.
