predation and parasitism Flashcards
what is predation
the killing and consumption of multiple prey with positive effects of predator or parasite and negative of prey/host
= applies to carnivorus plants/herbivores whcih kill plants seeds and seedlings
define intraguild predation and cannabilism
1) predation on other predators with shared prey resource
2) predation within species
define predator functional responce
how individual rate of prey consumption changes
- affected by ability to catch and handle prey
- numerical response of predators can be caused as prey densities grow
what are the three types of responces identifyed by Holling 1959 in terms of the effect of predators and prey
Type 1 = consumption rate is limited only by the prey densitiy = prey capture constant and independant of prey desity
2- proportion prey captured decreases as prey desnity increases = limited by ability to find and process food
3- takes into account prey switiching and learning
what is meant by the term haematophagy
blood feeding
1) pool feeding - biting mouthparts cut open superfical blood vessels and feed on blood which leaks out
2) piercing and sucking = specalised mouthoparts which inserted into skin and blood vessels severed
= act as vectors of many parasites and pathogens
what is a faculative haematophage
species which aquire at least some portion of thier nutrition from non blood sources in at least one of the sexually mature forms
= many insects blood meal is needed before laying eggs whilst males feed on nectar
outline some blood feeding species and the disease/parasites that they spread
Sandflies = leishmaniasis
Tsetse flies = trypanomiasis
black flies = parasitic nematode
give some examples of obligatory blood feeders
- assassin bugs = chagas disease
- lice
- fleas= transmits bubonic plague
outline some plant eating insects
grow in nutrient poor areas= especially nitrogen
- over 583 spp = wide spread but rare
- six different trapping mechanisms
what are the 6 trapping mechanisms employed by plant eating insects
flypaper, fixed/mobile tentacles, pitfall, lobster pot, pigeon trap, snap and suction
how do sundw species capture insects
ADHESIVE = trap using long mobile mucilage secreting glands
= sticky substance attracts and traps
= weight + movement triggers hairs to wrap around
why do insect eating plants have decreased photosynthesis
leaf used as trap = less efficient for photosynthesis
- energy expended on non-photosynthetic structures such as glands and digestive enzymes
= decreased photosynthesis and increased respiration
how do butterwort species capture insects
flypaper (adhesive trap) = bright yellow-green leaves excrete sticky fluid which attracts inects
- leaves curl around and digest it
- acidic bogs, fens and damp heaths
how does bladderwort species capture insects
suction = found submerged in still fresh water
- bladders pump out ions water follows by osmosis creating partial vaccum