Of Species Interactions Flashcards

Müllerian mimicry differs from Batesian mimicry in that Müllerian mimics are:

Answer: All unpalatable species sharing a warning pattern

In Müllerian mimicry, multiple genuinely unpalatable species converge on the same warning coloration, reinforcing predator avoidance.

Which of the following is an example of a keystone predator effect?

Answer: Wolves causing elk to avoid riverbanks, allowing riparian vegetation to recover

Wolves in Yellowstone exemplify a keystone predator by triggering a trophic cascade that altered plant communities and stream morphology.

A cleaner wrasse fish removes parasites from larger 'client' fish without being eaten. This best represents:

Answer: Mutualism

Cleaner fish and client fish engage in mutualism: the cleaner gets food and the client has parasites removed, benefiting both.

Allelopathy is a form of species interaction in which:

Answer: One plant releases chemicals that inhibit growth of neighboring plants

Allelopathy involves the release of phytotoxic chemicals by a plant that suppress the germination or growth of competitor plants.

Frequency-dependent selection in the context of predator–prey interactions means:

Answer: Rare prey morphs are favored because predators develop a 'search image' for common morphs

Negative frequency-dependent selection protects rare morphs because predators form search images for the most common form, leaving rare variants at an advantage.

An orchid that produces flowers resembling female bees to attract male bees for pollination, offering no reward, exemplifies:

Answer: Deceptive pollination

Deceptive pollination (pseudocopulation) tricks pollinators into visiting without providing nectar or pollen rewards.

The term 'apparent competition' refers to when:

Answer: Two prey species negatively affect each other indirectly through a shared predator

Apparent competition occurs when two prey species indirectly harm each other because both sustain a shared predator population.