Ecological Relationships

Differentiate between intraspecific and interspecific competition.

• Interspecific competition is competition between individuals of the same species, while intraspecific competition is competition between individuals of different species.

• Intraspecific competition is competition between individuals of the same species, while interspecific competition is competition between individuals of different species.

How does interspecific competition impact species diversity?

• Interspecific competition only impacts species diversity in ecosystems with low biodiversity

• Interspecific competition has no impact on species diversity

• Interspecific competition impacts species diversity by potentially reducing the number of species present in an ecosystem.

• Interspecific competition always leads to an increase in species diversity

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Describe the relationship between a lion and a zebra in terms of ecological relationships.

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Mutualism

• Competition

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The flea feeds on blood from the dog. There

is no benefit to the dog and the itching and

bites may lead to infection. Identify this ecological relationship.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

The photosynthetic algae provide food for

the fungus, which in turn provides a suitable

living environment for the algae.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

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The bacteria in the gut of the termite

breakdown and feed on some of the

cellulose taken in by the termite. The

termite would be unable to digest cellulose

without these bacteria and they gain an

additional source of nutrition from the

surplus digested cellulose.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

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The ants live in the hollow thorns of the acacia tree and help to protect the tree from herbivores by attacking any that try to eat the leaves or bark. In return, the acacia tree provides food for the ants in the form of nectar secreted from the tips of its leaves.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

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The Remora fish swim alongside the shark

and take scraps of food that the shark drops

during feeding. The shark does not eat the

Remora and appears unaffected by its

presence.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

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The cattle egret follows herds of cattle and

eats the insects that the cattle stir up as they

move through the grassland. The cattle

appear to be unaffected by the egrets.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition

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The tapeworm lives in the small intestines

where it feeds and grows, robbing the

human of essential nutrients.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predator-prey

• Interspecific Competition