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Eco Chapter 14 Summary

This chapter discusses predation and the relationships between predators and their prey. It covers how predators and prey have evolved various behaviors and adaptations related to hunting and avoiding being hunted. Predators have developed efficient hunting tactics like ambushing, stalking, and pursuing prey. Meanwhile, prey species have evolved defenses like camouflage, warning colors, and behaviors to evade predators. The chapter also examines mathematical models of predator-prey interactions and optimal foraging theory.

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450 views2 pages

Eco Chapter 14 Summary

This chapter discusses predation and the relationships between predators and their prey. It covers how predators and prey have evolved various behaviors and adaptations related to hunting and avoiding being hunted. Predators have developed efficient hunting tactics like ambushing, stalking, and pursuing prey. Meanwhile, prey species have evolved defenses like camouflage, warning colors, and behaviors to evade predators. The chapter also examines mathematical models of predator-prey interactions and optimal foraging theory.

Uploaded by

Flora Neri
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 14: Predation

Predation- consumption of one living organism by another Predators- feed on living organisms; function as agents of mortality

1. 2. 3.

Search item- a way to recognize that species as a potential food item Availability of cover Switching- act of turning to more abundant, alternate prey; the predator feeds more heavily on the more abundant prey species and pays less attention to less abundant species

14.1 Predation Takes a Variety of Forms


Functional classification of predators: 1. Predator/true predator- species that kill their prey more or less immediately upon capture 2. Herbivores- consume only part of the individual plant; does not result in mortality 3. Seed predators and planktivores- function as true predators 4. Parasites- feed on their prey organisms while it is still alive; feeding activity is not lethal in short term 5. Parasitioids- attacks prey indirectly by laying its egss on the hosts body, when the eggs hatch the larva will feed on the host, slowly killing it

14.5 Predators Respond Numerically to Changing Prey Density


Aggregative response- response of predators to aggregate in areas of high prey density Most predator populations grow slowly in comparison to those of their prey

14.6 Foraging Involves Decisions about the Allocation of Time and Energy
Optimal foraging theory- natural selection should favor efficient foragers; individuals that maximize their energy or nutrient intake per unit of effort; the decision is based on maximizing profitability One reason that a predator consumes a varied diet is that it may not be able to meet its nutritional requirements from a single prey species

14.2 Mathematical Models Describes the Basics of Predation


Predators regulate the growth of the prey population by functioning as a source of density-dependent mortality The prey populations functions as a source of density-dependent regulation on the birthrate of the predator population As the predator population increases, it consumes more and more prey, until the prey population begins to decline

14.7 Foragers Seek Productive Food Patches


Most animals live in a patchy environment Profitability- energy gained per unit of time spent foraging in a given patch Marginal value theorem- the length of time an individual should stay in a resource patch before leaving and seeking another Length of stay is based on: 1. The richness of the food patch 2. The time required to get there 3. The time required to extract the resources The predator should abandon the patch when the rate of energy gain is at its maximum The predators should remain in a rich food patch for a longer time than they remain in a poorer one

14.3 Model Suggests Mutual Population Regulation


Regulation of the predator population is a direct result of two distinct responses by the predator to the changes in prey population: 1. Functional response- the greater the number of the prey, the more the predator eats 2. Numerical response- the increase consumption of prey is a result in the increase of predator reproduction

14.4 Functional Responses Relate Prey Consumed to Prey Density


Functional response- how a predators rate of consumption responds to changes in the prey population Type 1 functional response- the rate of prey mortality due to predation is constant; can also occur when prey do not become sufficiently abundant to satiate the predators Handling of the prey includes: 1. Chasing 2. Killing 3. Eating 4. Digesting Type 2 functional response- declining mortality of prey with increasing prey density; the per capita rate of predation increases in a decelerating fashion only up to a maximum rate that is attained at some high prey density Type 3 functional response- regulate a prey population because the initial rate of prey mortality increases with prey density; the per capita rate of predation increases with increasing prey density up to some maximum Factors that lead to type 3 response:

14.8 Risk of Predation Can Influence Foraging Behavior


Habitats and foraging areas vary in their foraging profitability and their risk of predation The presence of predators affect foraging behaviors Foragers do not visit rich patches but predator prone areas and stay in less profitable but more secure part of the habitat

14.9 Coevolution Can Occur Between Predator and Prey


Any characteristics that enables individual prey to avoid being detected and captured by predators will increase its fitness Predators evolve more effective means to capture preys

14.10 Animal Prey Have Evolved Defenses against Predators


Predator defenses- characteristics to avoid being detected, selected and captured by predators Example of predatore defenses: 1. Chemical defense

Chapter 14: Predation Summary. Elements of Ecology 7th Edition. Thomas M. Smith and Robert Leo Smith. Pearson International Edition, pp 282-307.

2.

Cryptic coloration- colors and patterns that allow prey to blend into the background 3. Object resemblance 4. Flashing coloration- play extremely visible color patches when disturbed and put into flight; may distract and disorient predators; may serve as signal to promote group cohesion 5. Warning coloration/apoematism- bold colors with patterns that may serve as a warning to the would-be predators 6. Batesian mimicry- an edible species resembles an inedible species/model 7. Mullerian mimicry- the predator has to be exposed to only one of the species before learning to stay away from all other species with the same warning color pattern 8. Protective armor 9. Behavioral defenses- behaviors by prey species aimed at avoiding detection, fleeing and warning others of the predator 10. Living in groups 11. Predator satiation- the timing of reproduction; most of the offspring are produced in a short period; Two classes of predator defenses: 1. Permanent/constitutive defenses- fixed features of the organism 2. Induced defenses- defenses that are brought about by the presence or action of predators

14.14 Plants, Herbivores, and Carnivores Interact


Plants are consumed by herbivores which are in turn consumed by carnivores

14.15 Predators Influence Prey Dynamics through Lethal and Nonlethal Effects
Predator induced defensive responses can potentially influence many aspects of prey population regulation and dynamics Predators reduce population growth partly bthrough predatorinduced changes in prey behavior and partly through direct mortality

14.11 Predators Have Evolved Efficient Hunting Tactics


Three general methods of hunting: 1. Ambush- lying in wait for prey to come along; low frequency of success; requires minimal energy 2. Stalking- deliberate form of hunting with quick attack; pursuit time minimal; spend more time and energy 3. Pursuit- minimal search time because predators usually know the location of the prey; pursuit time is great; spend more time capturing and handling prey

14.12 Herbivores Prey on Autotrophs


Herbivory is a form of predation in which animals prey on plants and algae; do not kill individuals they feed on A plant may be able to compensate by increasing the rate of photosynthesis

14.13 Plants Have Evolved Characteristics That Deter Herbivores


Structural defenses- can discourage feeding thereby reducing the amount of tissues removed by herbivores Secondary compounds- chemicals that are not involved in the basic metabolism; reduce the ability of herbivores to digest plant tissues or deter herbivores from feeding Three major classes of secondary compounds: 1. Nitrogen based compounds- e.g morphine, atropine, nicotine, cyanide 2. Terpenoids- e.g essential oils, latex, plant resins 3. Phenolics- aromatic compounds; e.g tannins and lignins Quantitative inhibitors- secondary compounds that are produced in large quantities; reduce digestibility and potential energy gain from food Qualitative inhibitors- secondary compounds that function against herbivory; present in small amounts; are toxic

Chapter 14: Predation Summary. Elements of Ecology 7th Edition. Thomas M. Smith and Robert Leo Smith. Pearson International Edition, pp 282-307.

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