species interactions: definitions

Question 1

fitness

Answer 1

the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce

Question 2

mutualism

Answer 2

an interaction that’s beneficial to both species

Question 3

competition

Answer 3

an interaction that’s harmful to both species

Question 4

neutralism

Answer 4

an interaction with no effect on either species

Question 5

predation/parasitism

Answer 5

an interaction that’s harmful to one, but beneficial to the other species

Question 6

amensalism

Answer 6

an interaction which is harmful to one species and doesn’t affect the other

Question 7

commensalism

Answer 7

beneficial to one species, not harming the other

(e.g. use of waste food by scavengers, decomposers, detritivores)

Question 8

interspecific

Answer 8

occurring between different species

Question 9

intraspecific

Answer 9

occurring within a given species

Question 10

symbiosis

Answer 10

any long-term, intimate relationship between two species

Question 11

symbiotic relationship - obligate

Answer 11

the two organisms depend on each other for survival

Question 12

symbiotic relationship - facultative

Answer 12

the two organisms choose to cohabitate in a mutually beneficial but non-essential relationship

Question 13

co-evolution

Answer 13

joint evolution of two or more non-interbreeding species that have a close ecological relationship; through reciprocal selective pressures, the evolution of one species partially depends on the evolution of the other

Question 14

diffuse co-evolution

Answer 14

involves interactions of many organisms, in contrast to just pairwise interactions

Question 15

allelopathy

Answer 15

secretion by plants of chemicals that inhibit/suppress growth or reproduction of other species

Question 16

phoresy

Answer 16

transportation of one organism by another more mobile one

Question 17

trophic

Answer 17

relating to feeding and nutrition

Question 18

mimicry

Answer 18

relies on associative learning to reduce predation, usually visual, sometimes acoustic

Question 19

mimicry - batesian

Answer 19

palatable mimics unpalatable

Question 20

mimicry - mullerian

Answer 20

unpalatable mimics another unpalatable

Question 21

aposematic colouring

Answer 21

colouring or markings that warn off predators, reduces predation

Question 22

population cycle

Answer 22

population oscillation in a regular periodic pattern, or, periodic population fluctuation

Question 23

parasitoids

Answer 23

insects that lay their eggs on or near other invertebrates; the larvae then develop in or on the host, ultimately killing it. many belong to the order hymenoptera, but also include many diptera

Question 24

riparian

Answer 24

relating to wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams

Question 25

felidae

Answer 25

family of cat like mammals, in the order Carnivora.

Question 26

herpestidae

Answer 26

the family that mongoose belong to, in order carnivora

Question 27

canidae

Answer 27

dog like mammals, in order carnivora

Question 28

ursidae

Answer 28

bears, in order carnivora

Question 29

mustelidae

Answer 29

diverse family of mammals within order of carnivora, including weasels, badgers, otters, polecats, etc.

Question 30

mephitidae

Answer 30

skunks and stink badgers, order of carnivora

Question 31

phocidae

Answer 31

true seals/earless seals, order carnivora

Question 32

mutualism breakdown pathways

Answer 32

1. one partner shifts to parasitism
2. one partner abandons mutualism and lives autonomously
3. one partner may go extinct
4. a partner may switch to another species

Question 33

epiphyte

Answer 33

plant that grows non-parasitically upon another plant

Question 34

inquilinism

Answer 34

using a 2nd organsim for housing, e.g. birds that live in tree cavities