Unit 1. Interdependence Among Organisms
Unit 1. Interdependence Among Organisms
Unit 1. Interdependence Among Organisms
1 It is a competition among the individuals of the same 1 The competition is among the members of different
species species
2 The competition is for all the requirements. 2 The competition is for one or a few requirements.
3 The competing individuals have similar type of 3 The competing individuals have different types of
adaptation adaptations.
4 It is more severe due to similar needs and 4 It is less severe as the similar needs are a few and
adaptations. the adaptations are different
5 Example includes finding mating partners 5 Examples include competition for food
Cont’d
Symbiotic relationship
• Symbiosis literally means the living together of two dissimilar
organisms, where one or the other, or both are affected.
• Symbiosis can also be defined as a close relationship between
species that benefits at least one of the species.
• The three types of symbiotic associations are:
mutualism,
parasitism and
commensalism.
Mutualism (++)
• This is an association where two living organisms of different species benefits from each other
without causing harm to each other
•Examples of mutualism.
Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules of legumes: The bacteria obtain carbohydrates, proteins
and shelter from the legumes while the plant obtain nitrates from nitrogen fixed by bacteria.
The association between green algae and fungus: The fungus obtains oxygen and
carbohydrates from algae while algae obtains water, carbon dioxide and mineral salts from
fungus and protection from drying out.
Hermit crab and sea anemone: The sea anemone obtains food from the crab while the crab
gets protection from the anemone stinging cells.
a. Facultative Mutualism
• In this relationship both organisms benefit by living in close association, but
it is not essential.
•Examples:
Many ants are found in the vicinity of aphids. The ants feed on the
sugary fluid released by the aphids, and the aphids are protected by the
ants.
Small fish of several families, including a wrasse, feed on small
organisms and parasites on the bodies of larger fish. These cleaner or
barber fish in this manner, and the larger fish are relieved of
unwelcome guests on their bodies.
b. Obligate mutualism
• As the name implies, an obligatory contact exists between different organisms
•Examples:
Lichens are plants made up of a fungus and an alga living in close association. They are usually found
on rocks and tree trunks. The fungus is attached to the substratum by fungal treads. These fungal treads
help to absorb inorganic substances which are then used by the alga during photosynthesis (when
organic compounds are made). The fungus obtains organic substances manufactured by the alga.
Bees and birds visit flowers in search of pollen and nectar. In the process flowers are pollinated.
Commensalism (+0)
• Commensalism means literally 'at table together'. This is a symbiotic relationship
between two species in which one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor
harmed.
•Examples:
The remora fish (the commensal) feeds on food scattered by the shark (the host)
Cowbirds and cattle egrets feed on insects flushed out of the grass by grazing bison,
cattle, horses, and other herbivores. Because the birds increase their feeding rates when
following the herbivores, they clearly benefit from the association.
The barnacles benefit by attaching themselves to the turtle’s shell for a home and
transportation. The turtle is not benefiting or being harmed in this relationship.
Parasitism ( + )
• This is an association between two organisms of different species where one, the parasite
benefits from the other, the host and harms it i. e. parasite gets benefits from the host.
• A parasite: Is a living organism which lives in or on another organism from which it obtains
nutrients, shelter and gives nothing in return except harm.
• A host: Is a living organism in or on which a parasite lives and suffers harm in return.
• They have faster speed that enable them to escape from predators.
• They have protective structures e.g. spikes, horns and scales.
• They produce numerous young ones to ensure survival of their species.
• They stay in groups to confuse the predators – appear as a large, big prey.
• They have well developed sense of smell which help them detect and escape predators.
• They have colour camouflage.
• They have mimicry.
• They have large physical size that scares away predators
Cont’d
• There are two types of mimicry:
in Batesian mimicry: A harmless species mimics a harmful one.
In Mullerian mimicry: Two unpalatable (harmful) species mimic each other.
Cont’d
Prey-predator relationship
Generally, the population of predator and prey fluctuates.
The peaks of the prey come fast before those of predators.
As the population of the prey increases, that of predators also increases to a
peak due to abundance of food.
Increase of predator population prevents further increase of the prey since
many of the prey are being eaten.
The predator population then drops as food becomes less.
At any time, the number of predators is lower than that of prey .
Graph showing the fluctuations of predator- prey
relationship
Significance of predation
• Predation Prevents a Single Species from Becoming Dominant: predators
may feed on the dominating prey species and prevent it from becoming
dominant.
• Predation can Either Increase or Decrease Species Richness:
In an ecological community where predator and prey exist together, predator
has the ability to either increase or decrease the number of prey species.
• Predation as Source of Natural Selection: Natural selection favours the
fittest individuals in a community.
Competition (--)
• Competition occurs when more than one individual or population
tries to use the same limited resource. If a lot of organisms
compete for the same resources, it is difficult for each individual
to obtain the resources they need.
• However, in the same habitat, two different species cannot
occupy the same niche in the same place for very long time. This
is known as the competitive exclusion principle.
• If two species were to occupy the same niche, they would
compete with one another for the same food and other
environmental resources and eventually result in the exclusion of
one organism.
Allelopaphy (+ - )
5. Why is not possible for two different species to have identical ecological niches?
a. the plant
b. The fungus?