Week 4: Species Interactions

Textbook Reading Guide

 Chapter 12
o Define mutualism, commensalism, competition, amensalism, predation,
parasitism, parasitoidism, coevolution, niche (fundamental and realized), urban ecology.
o Differentiate between the interactions described in Table 12.1.
o Summarize how changes in populations of prey species affects predator
populations, and vice versa to describe coevolution (see Figure 12.4). 
o Give examples of how two species have adapted to mutually benefit from one
another (see hummingbird examples).
o Recognize how species' interactions can vary across landscapes.
o Describe the ecological niche and explain why the fundamental and realized
niche differ.
o Ecological Issues & Application: Describe how urbanization affects animal
communities through examples given in this section.
 
 Chapter 13
o Define interspecific competition, allelopathy, competition coefficient
(represented by Greek letters alpha and beta), zero-growth isocline, competitive
exclusion principle, competitive release, resource partitioning, character displacement.
o Using the example of allelopathy, explain how some species adapted to compete
for the same resources.
o Summarize the Lotka-Volterra model (don't worry about the math - just describe
the principles at play). Use the variables and equations we learned last week from the
logistic growth model to help you understand the growth of two competing species.
o Describe what the zero-growth isoclines represent and when this would occur in
the population's growth.
o Apply your understanding of zero-growth isoclines and the Lotka-Volterra model
to describe Figure 13.2.
o Use the competitive exclusion principle to describe changes in the population
sizes of the two protozoans in Figure 13.3. Explain the assumptions of this principle.
o Describe how some abiotic factors ("non-resource factors") may influence
competition, and how these may change over time.
o Recognize that species are usually competing for *multiple* resources, and that
competition differs across resource gradients.
o Describe what happens to a species' niche when a competitor is removed.
o Explain how character displacement occurs as a result of resource partitioning. 
o Ecological Issues & Application: Apply the competitive release principle to
explain the range expansion of coyotes. 
 
 Chapter 14
o Define functional response (Type I, II, and III), numerical response, switching,
aggregative response, optimal foraging theory, predator defenses, chemical defense,
cryptic coloration, object resemblance, flashing coloration, warning coloration
(aposematism), Batesian mimicry, Müllerian mimicry, protective armor, behavioral
defenses, predator satiation, constitutive defenses, induced defenses, secondary
 Week 4: Species Interactions
Textbook Reading Guide
compounds, quantitative inhibitors, qualitative inhibitors, sustainable yield, maximum
sustainable yield.
o Using the Lotka-Volterra model, describe...
 the differences in population growth for prey species with the presence
and absence of predators.
 how predator and prey abundances result in population cycles
 how predators respond to changing prey densities
 how changes in predator/prey populations affect the entire food chain
o Differentiate between a predator's functional and numerical response. Explain
how Type I, II, and III functional responses differ and their assumptions/constraints.
o Use the optimal foraging theory to describe how predation behaviors are a
function of the benefits and costs to foraging for prey.
o Give examples of how:
 prey species adapted defenses against predators
 predator species adapted efficient hunting tactics
 plants evolved adaptations against herbivores
o Explain the difference between Batesian and Müllerian mimicry behaviors and
how each evolved.
o Field Studies: Describe how the presence of predators impacts the growth of
prey species.
o Ecological Issues & Application: Describe what it means to have a sustainable
yield and identify when that should occur in a population's logistic growth.
 
 Chapter 15
o Define symbiosis, infection, disease, micro/macroparasites, hemiparasites,
holoparasites, ectoparasite, endoparasite, definitive host, intermediate host,
mutualism.
o Describe how parasitism is a symbiotic relationship and how the following
parasites differ:
 macro- vs. microparasites
 hemi- vs. holoparasites
 ecto- vs. endoparasites
o Explain how transmission of a parasite may occur (e.g. direct, intermediate
transfer, multiple hosts).
o Describe some effects of parasites have on their hosts and how these may affect
the host's population growth.
o Explain the variance in mutualistic relationships, from obligate to facultative
mutualisms, specialists to generalists, and symbiotic to nonsymbiotic mutualism.
o Give examples as how mutualisms facilitate:
 nutrient transfer in ruminants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria
 defensive behaviors
 pollination
 seed dispersal
 Week 4: Species Interactions
Textbook Reading Guide
o Ecological Issues & Application: Using the tick as a case study, describe the
parasite life cycle and how their abundance is growing due to habitat fragmentation.