Download Relationships in the Ecosystem

Relationships in the
Ecosystem
Interactions
What are the types of
relationships?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Predator / Prey
Competition
Mimicry
Symbiosis
A) commensalism
B) mutualism
C) parasitism
Predator / Prey
Predator = animal that hunts another animal
for food.
Prey = animal that is eaten by another.
Predator / Prey populations will change in
response to each other’s population.
Predator / Prey
Competition
…when 2 organisms or species have the
same niche they will compete for
resources.
The “loser” will have to leave, get another
niche or die.
Mimicry
Mimicry – harmless species resembles a
dangerous or distasteful one
Ex. One type of king snake looks very much
like the poisonous coral snake.
Red on black- friend of jack
Red on yellow- can kill a fella
Symbiosis
…the relationship between different species
living in close association with one
another.
There are 3 types of symbiotic relationships.
1) Mutualism
…both organisms benefit.
EX: Lichen (moss or fungus & algae), Clown
fish & sea anemone
Mutualism
2) Commensalism
…one organism benefits, the other isn’t
helped or harmed.
EX: Whales & Barnacles
3) Parasitism
…one organism benefits (parasite), the
other is harmed (host)
Parasite- organism that gets nutrients at the
expense of another organism or lives on /
within another.
EX: tapeworms, pinworms, ticks, etc…
The End