SPECIES INTERACTIONS CONT

PP 403-404

PREDATION (+/-)

• one species eats another species

• predator: eater and prey: eaten

• Types: carnivores, herbivores

• cyclic in nature – ↑ in prey leads to ↑ in predators (vice versa)

• Adaptations in prey for defense against predators

PREY: SEA URCHINS

PREDATOR: SEA

STARS

RESPONSES TO PREDATION

• camouflage: Cryptic coloration disguises an animal so it’s less visible to predators or prey

• warning coloration: intended not to camouflage an organism but to make it more noticeable

- Bright coloring, scent, or taste to warn

potential aggressors

• mimicry: physical (or behavioral resemblance) of one species to another

1. natural selection of a second moth species

favors moths who look like the bad tasting

species (bright colors)

2. color patterns may be similar

• moment of truth defenses: action by prey just before death that is unexpected by predator

• alluring coloration: animals are colored so a predator's attention is drawn to a non-vital part of the prey's body