Ecology of South Florida (EVR 3013) LECTURE 11

INTRO ECOL IV
SPECIES INTERACTION, COMPETITION, NICHE THEORY

NICHE

A funny thing is the niche
If I knew what it was I'd be rich.
It's dimensions are n
And a knowledge of zen
Are needed to fathom the bitch.

I. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN POPULATIONS

A. Competition

 (-,-) Melalueca quinquenervia vs. Taxodium distichum
indirect - exploitative direct - interference

B. Predation

 (+,-) Apple snails and Everglades kites

C. Parasitism

 (+,-) Cassytha and Schinus

D. Batesian Mimicry

 (+,-) Coral snake and milk snake

E. Neutralism

 (0,0) Panthers and Tree snails

F. Mutualism

 (+,+) Beetles and Opuntia

G. Mullerian Mimicry

 (+,+) Yellow and black wasps

H. Commensalism

 (+,0) Epiphytes and their hosts, cattle egrets and cattle

III. COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Two species can not occupy the same niche at the same time in the same place. If they occupy the same niche are they not the same species? Principle useful in showing that niche differentiation is necessary for co-existence or disturbance and patchiness.

IV. PREDATION & PARASITISM

A. Efficiency

Natural selection tends to increase a predator's efficiency.

B. Herbivory

Predation on plants is more like parasitism than animal predation.

C. Escaping predation

1. Behavior

2. Coloration

  1. Industrial melanism - Biston betularis
  2. Flash coloration eyespots
  3. False warning coloration - Batesian mimicry (disadvantageous to model)
  4. Mullerian mimicry - convergence

3. Plants

  1. Morphology - hooks, spines, hairs, smooth bark, glaucous coatings
  2. Chemistry

V. FLORIDA BIOTA VIII: ANIMALS (mammals)


Back to start,  Back to lecture 10,  On to lecture 12,  13,  14 &15,  16,  17,  18,  19

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