ECOLOGY

BOI 102/3

Distribution limit

Factors that limit distributions: Interrelations with other species (Biotic Factors)

Such as
Predation Disease and parasitism Allelopathy Competition

Today:
Only examining the ability of organisms to limit the distribution of other species.
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Predation

Definition:

Very broad 1) predation occurs when members of one species eat those of another species. 2) the consumption of one organism (not necessarily the whole organism) by another that attacks its prey while the prey is still alive.

Predation: Distribution of the common mussel.

Observation 1:

Large mussels only in north Small mussels only in south Mussels are unable to live in other locations. Transplant

Hypothesis 1:

Experiment 1:

Predation: Distribution of the common mussel.

Observation 1:

Large mussels only in north Small mussels only in south

Mussels are unable to live in other locations. Transplant High mortality in transplant areas

Hypothesis 1:

Experiment 1:

Results 1:

Predation example: Distribution of the common mussel.

Observation 2:

Mortality caused by 3 crabs and 1 starfish. Crabs and starfish absent in open ocean Predation limits large mussels Environment limits small mussels Put mussels of various sizes in cages with other species.
Only big crabs can eat large mussels Continue on effect of environment on small mussels
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Hypothesis 2:

Experiment 2:

Results 2:

Can prey limit the distribution of a predator?

Some predators are very specialized.

Examples: Drosophila pachea, the leaf-eating beetle Chrysolina quadrigemina

The distribution of highly specialized herbivores is limited by the distribution of the host plant. Map distributions of prey and predator:

Hypothesis:

Experiment:

the leaf-eating beetle Chrysolina quadrigemina a biological control agent for a weed (Hypericum perforatum).

Drosophila pachea, which breeds only in the stems of senita cactus (Lophocereus schottii) throughout the Sonoran Desert, requires the cactus as dietary supplement.

http://biology.ucsd.edu/labs/markow/research.htm

Disease example: extinction of bird species in Hawaii.

Observation:

Native birds common only about 1500 m. Malaria carrying mosquito common in low elevations.

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Disease example: extinction of bird species in Hawaii.

Hypothesis:

Avian malaria caused the extinction of native birds. Transplant

Experiment:

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Results:

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Allelopathy example: grass and apples.

Definition of allelopathy:

Influence of plants upon each other caused by products of metabolism (chemical substance); antibiotic interaction between plants.
I.e. poisons or antibiotics.

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Allelopathy example: grass and apples.

Observation:

Some plants not growing well with other crops. Apple tree seedlings do not grow well in grass. Grass releases a substance that hinders growth of apple seedling.
1) Water grass and apple seedlings separately 2) Water apple seedlings with water that has dripped through grass. 3) Water apple seedlings with water that has dripped through plain soil.

Hypothesis:

Experiment: 3 Treatments

Results:
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Allelopathy example: grass and apples.

Results:

Seedlings growth was inhibited by something produced by the grass.

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Competition

Definition:

A negative interaction between two species over resources. Many types of competition, but largely under two group: - name it ??? Interference competition (interspecific)- In this case
more aggressive species establish a territory in which they obtain food and cover. Less aggressive species without territories do not compete successfully for food and often die of starvation

Examples:

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Competition example: Plethodon salamanders

Plethodon glutinosus

Plethodon jordani
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Chatfield_Matthew/Red-cheeked_Salamander.JPG/view.html

Competition example: Plethodon salamanders

Observation:

Segregation of the two species in the Smoky Mountains. Plethodon glutinosus and P. jordani compete in overlapping habitats Remove species in overlap zones.

Hypothesis:

Experiment:

Results:
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Competition example: Plethodon salamanders

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Competition example: Plethodon salamanders

Results:

P. glutinosus increases in both locations. Release from competition.

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Competition Theory

If two species compete for resources, one species will always be better at utilizing a resource if scarce. Over long time:

One species must lose and disappear Or: adapt

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Abiotic factors that limit distribution.

What are the factors? 2 primary factors:

Temperature Moisture

Other factors:

Wind Light Acidity Salinity Pollutants

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Temperature and Moisture as Limiting Factors

Two options

Tolerate Adapt

Examples:

Range limits determined by temperature. Behavioral Nocturnal desert creatures Hibernation

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Climate Tolerance: Loblolly pine.

Observation:

Loblolly pine appears limited by climate. Loblolly pine distribution can be modeled using meteorological data.

Hypothesis:

Experiment:

Compare differences in meteorological data within known range and outside of the range.

Results:

Good fit between actual and predicted distributions.

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Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Loblolly_pine/loblpine.htm

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Behavioral change: Flying squirrels

Observation:

It gets cold in New Hampshire. Yet flying squirrels survive. Flying squirrels have a behavioral method (huddling), which enables survival.
Count number of squirrels huddled together throughout year.

Hypothesis:

Experiment:

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Behavioral change: Flying squirrels

Results:

The colder it gets the more squirrels huddled together.

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Summary

Biotic factors that can limit distributions

Predation, disease, parasitism, alleopathy

Abiotic factors can also limit distributions

Temperature and moisture most important Organisms either tolerate or adapt.

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