Human Population Demographics Lab

For this lab project I am going to be selecting twenty

species that I interact with on a daily basis and explain how
I interact with them and their purpose in our ecosystem. I
will be describing my association with the species
according to ecological principals and explain how humans
have been co-evolving with the particular species.

Pictures from http://www.baby-planet.com/products/EndangeredSpecies.aspx & http://www.cites.org/eng/news/press/2004/040512_cop13_prop.shtml

1. Chihuahua (Canis Familiaris): I am starting out with the Chihuahua dog because I own two of
them an interact with them on a daily basis. The name Chihuahua was derived from the Mexican
State of Chihuahua where the earliest kind of the breed were found. According to the history of the
species, the Techichi which is a companion of the ancient Toltecs, is thought to be the ancestor of
the Chihuahua (dating back to 9th century records). It is even believed that Christopher Columbus is
responsible for transporting the breed to Europe. Seeming how the Techichis were a bit larger in
size, it is theorized they were breed with a small hairless dog which originated in Asia and was
brought over the land bridge. The association between my dogs (Bam-Bam and Baby Girl) and
myself is completely mutualistic. Obviously I have the advantage of dominance; being a more
complex and intricate species. However there is no doubt that they benefit from interaction with me
and vise a versa. Interaction between myself and my companions consists of the following: feeding
them, cleaning up after them, exercising them, offering shelter, and training them (which they
consider games or playing). Compared to some other breeds, Chihuahuas are definitely a
domesticated animal. Due to their size, they really cannot cause much damage as compared to an
undomesticated animal in the wild; they are easy prey. This breed has been co-existing with
humans for centuries and has been used for pleasure purposes, as this breed is not qualified for
farming or herding purposes.
2. Housefly (Musca Domestica): The annoying buzzards that
somehow get trapped in my house on a daily basis. Houseflies
evolved about 65 million years ago around the start of the
Cenozoic era, where it is believed they originated from a region
known today as the Middle East. I would say in most cases my
relationship with houseflies is commensal; however they poses the
ability to engage in parasitic relationships. For me, houseflies are
more of a nuisance. They are constantly buzzing around and you
can never catch them. I certainly do not benefit from the common
housefly, but I am not harmed by the common housefly. However,
this common fly can transport and transmit dangerous diseases.
These pests can possess over 100 pathogens such as: “…typhoid,
cholera, Salmonella, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax,
ophthalmia, and parasitic worms. The flies in poorer and lower-
hygienic areas usually carry more pathogens. Some strains have
become immune to most common insecticides.” These flies are
considered domestic in that they are usually found in human
habitat area’s, however they are not used for human consumption
or agriculture, they do not behave well with humans (in my opinion),
and we do not use them for transportation or protection. Their main
purpose of the housefly is to feed on organic material (usually
garbage or fecal matter) which is beneficial to our species
(symbiotic).

Picture and Verbiage from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Housefly&oldid=210578724

3. Gut Flora (intestinal microbiota): There are hundreds of microorganisms
such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and archaea that reside in the guts of
animals and humans. The relationship between the microorganisms and
myself can be considered symbiotic, commensal, and mutualism. The
microorganisms carry out a variety of valuable functions such as: “…
fermenting unused energy substrates, training the immune system [to respond
only to pathogens], preventing growth of harmful species, regulating the
development of the gut, producing vitamins for the host (such as biotin and
vitamin K), and producing hormones to direct the host to store fats…The
presence of such bacterial colonies also inhibits the growth of potentially
pathogenic bacteria (usually through competitive exclusion) and some
beneficial bacteria are consequently sold as probiotic dietary supplements.”
Bacteria is utilized in the preparation of fermented foods, as a means of waste
processing, pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, laboratory studies and
production. The bacteria's are very beneficial to human health because they
aid with digestion and eliminate food waste.

Picture and Verbiage from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria#Interactions_with_other_organisms &

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptococcus
4. Olive Tree (Olea Europaea): This tree is from the family Oleaceae
and produces the olive fruit. I have one of these trees in my backyard
and they can be quite messy. Since the olives seeds are spread by
birds and other animals (phoresy–commensal relationship), this
particular tree has the ability to densely populate areas and thrive. I
view olive trees relationship with humans as mutualistic. We benefit
highly from the fruit tree; it is actually considered the most cultivated
fruit in the world. Its obvious use is for consumption of olives and the
production of olive oil, however the leaves are consumed for medicinal
tea uses and the fruit itself has health benefits. Also, we utilize the
wood from the trees for many purposes and then transplant nursery
grown trees in their place (olive plantations and nurseries). I consider
this species to be domesticated because it is a widely used food crop
which we purposefully farm.

Pictures from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_tree#Olive_as_an_invasive_species

5. Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera): Bee’s are famous for their honey
production through nectar collection. It is believed they originated in Africa
and later migrated to Europe. It is not just their honey producing powers that
make them well known, but also their sting. Most people are unaware that
most bee species are considered non-aggressive if they are left alone. If
truth be told, “…humans will often be a greater danger to the bees, as bees
are often affected or even harmed by encounters with toxic chemicals in the
environment.” For this reason, I associate our relationship with bees as
mutualistic and parasitic. We actually import bees as a commercial
pollinator for crops, and in return beekeepers offer shelter during winter
climates as well as feed and transport them. They are a domesticated
species in that they aid in agriculture, produce honey for food consumption,
their byproduct beeswax can be used in various products, and we
manufacture health supplements from pollen and royal jelly as well as
propolis which is used for health benefits. Unfortunately, humans are
contributing to the collapse of the bee colony. Some common causes
include “…pesticides such as neonicotinoids or imidacloprid, and
genetically modified (GM) crops with pest control characteristics such as
transgenic maize.”

“Beehives set up
for pollination.”

Pictures and Verbiage from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_honey_bee#Hazards_to_honey_bee_survival
 6. Yogurt Bacteria (Lactobacillus): Almost every day I eat yogurt
which is made with bacterial fermentation of milk. Certain strands of
bacteria are introduced into milk which is then fermented under
controlled temperatures and environmental conditions (inside a
bioreactor), especially in industrial production (Wikipedia). The
process starts when “…the bacteria ingest natural milk sugars and
release lactic acid as a waste product. The increased acidity causes
milk proteins to tangle into a solid mass (curd) in a process called
denaturation. The increased acidity (pH=4–5) also prevents the
proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria. In the U.S., to be
named yoghurt, the product must contain the bacteria strains
Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophilus and Lactobacillus
delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus.” You could say the bacteria is a
domesticated species in that we produce it for processes related to
food manufacturing as well as in food consumption. I would say that
humans have a commensal relationship with the bacteria because it
possesses nutritional benefits and medical uses such as
gastrointestinal related conditions.

Lactobacillus acidophilus
is one of several bacteria
in the genus
Lactobacillus.
Pictures and Verbiage from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoghurt &
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus
7. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos): The crow is a very common bird found throughout
North America and is notably known for their shrieking “caah…caah…caah” noises. Since I live in a
new construction development, these birds are constantly roaming around the construction sites.
Human relationships with this species are neutral and most likely considered commensal in nature.
Crows are scavengers and will rummage through garbage looking for food. Although we don’t
purposely provide food for them, I’ve often seen them cleaning up somebody's litter on the side of a
road. Also, they clean our environment by eating insect pests (I consider this a service). Even
though we find crows to be living in human populated area’s,
I would not consider them to be domesticated. We do not eat them
or use them for agriculture, they are not a source of transportation,
care or protection.

Pictures from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Crow

 8. Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus): I always see these cute bunnies
jumping around my yard… eating all my landscaping! Now that the
weather has warmed up, they are out and about eating green foliage.
However, I love the rabbit; they are one of my favorite species. There
are wild rabbits and domesticated ones. I owned two rabbits growing
up. While they are not used for agriculture or transportation, there
are people that use rabbit as food consumption, and we do use
rabbits for laboratory studies. I view rabbits as domesticated animals
that people have for mutualistic purposes. They are a pet and people
care for them by offering shelter, food, and attention. In contrast to
mutualism, the cottontail rabbit is hunted by some humans, in which
case the relationship would be considered parasitic because the
rabbit is harmed.

Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvilagus

9. Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla [formerly Lophortyx]): Quails are
everywhere in Prescott. I see many of them on a daily basis. They are
usually in a group waiting to jump out in front of my car as I drive along. In
Northern Arizona, quail hunting is quite popular. Quails are not intended to
be kept as pets; they are a wild animal (not domesticated) and our
relationship with them is parasitic. The small game is hunted for the use of
food consumption and recreation.

10. Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula splendida): Snakes are very popular

here in desert country, and although I do not see them on a daily basis, I
have seen quite a few when a hike. A kingsnake is native to Arizona and is
non-venomous. I don’t think the snake benefits from humans but our species
benefits from the kingsnakes (commensal). Their diets consist of lizards,
many types of rodents, and even smaller snakes, all of which helps control
our pest problems. Unfortunately, many people are frightened by these
snakes and will kill them with heavy objects such as a shovel. They are
actually docile when close proximity to humans. They are considered an
unaggressive creature and can be domesticated. Some ranchers benefit from
domesticating them because these snakes will eat other snakes that pose
more of a threat.
Pictures from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Kingsnake & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambel%27s_Quail
11. Tarantula (Theraphosidae [order Araneida]): These creatures
always come out during the monsoon season because fall time is also
tarantula mating season. I’ll never forget the first one I saw when I
moved here from California, it definitely startled me. However, most of
the tarantulas are harmless to humans. They are considered a wild
animal although many have domesticated them as pets. Our
relationship with tarantula’s is commensal in nature. They help
maintain other animal populations by consumption of small lizards,
spiders, beetles, bugs, and grasshoppers. Larger tarantula breeds
can even eat small rodents and birds.
12. Tumbleweed (Salsola tragus): These shrubs are plentiful in
Arizona and can be quite annoying when they start to pile up in your
yard. Tumbleweeds are dried out native desert plant from the
Chenopodiaceae family. My relationship with tumbleweeds is
completely neutral. I do not benefit from them but I am not harmed by
them. One could say my relationship is parasitic only because I crush
and throw away the tumbleweeds that collect on my property.
However, I would say my relationship is commensal because the
tumbleweeds are dried out and dead. Also, I would say they are not
domesticated.

Pictures from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tarantula&oldid=211177148 &

http://cabezaprieta.org/plant_page.php?id=1514 & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsola
Pictures from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout#Fi
sheries & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote
13. Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Rainbow trout
is one of my favorite fishes to eat and is quite
common in Northern Arizona. My boyfriend
periodically brings rainbow trout home after a long
day of fishing. Trout is a species of salmonid and
can be found in freshwater and the ocean, and
interestingly, a recent DNA study showed that the
rainbow trout was more closely related to the Pacific
salmon than to brown trout. This recent finding
resulted in the change of its genus to
oncorhynchus. I would say this species is
domesticated because it is an animal we consume
for food, they are supported by hatchery production,
and we do use them for study of certain diseases.
My relationship with the rainbow trout is parasitic in
that I benefit from consumption of the fish as a food
source. I’m sure the species does not feel it benefits
from being grilled, baked, boiled, and deep fried.
14. Coyote (Canis latrans): One of Prescott’s most familiar animals is the
coyote. Almost every night I hear their howling and yelps. Coyotes are wild
animals, we do not domesticate them as pets, use them for food,
transportation, or agricultural purposes. I would categorize my relationship
with coyotes as commensal. Although I am not harmed by the coyote, they
do have a record of going after small dogs in urban area’s which would be
a harmful relationship (parasitic) for my dogs and me. On the other hand,
some people harm coyotes for their furs.
 15. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis): The stinky
omnivore you always see as road kill throughout Prescott
and the surrounding areas. Definitely not a domesticated
species. Most would say there relationship with the
species is commensal, however I have had my dog
skunked three times by these nasty critters. Although my
dog got over it and didn’t seem to be harmed, I was
certainly harmed with the atrocious smell my dog had on
her breath for the following month. All three times my dog
was sprayed, the secreted musk got into her nasal cavity
and I could smell the stench every time she panted! The
striped skunks do perform a service for us by eating
insects and mice.

16. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): These ducks are

probably the most popular in North America and are
always swimming around Goldwater Lake where I hike.
The ducks are domesticated because we consume them
as a source of food and some have them as pets. My
relationship with this species is commensal. I do not eat
duck so they are personally not harmed by me, and I
occasionally will take them a loaf of bread which benefits
them. Pictures from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallard & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk
17. Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana): I wish I could say I am
seeing more and more of these but it seems like they’re diminishing. I can
remember when I first moved here to Prescott, they were everywhere and
they were beautiful. Unfortunately, with the recent building spurt they have
been forced out. They are not a domesticated animal in that we raise them
as pets, however they are domesticated in that we consume them as a food
source. Every year many Arizona natives hunt big game such as antelope.
My relationship with the species is commensal. I do not benefit from
antelope as a source of food, just as a source of visual enjoyment (the
antelope do not benefit from me but are not harmed). However, do to all of
the housing development, it has pushed many herds out of their natural and
familiar territory. Along with hunting, our species can be seen as parasitic for
them.
18. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura): This is the
most common game bird in the state of Arizona.
“Mourning Doves are light grey and brown and
generally muted in color. Males and females are
similar in appearance. The species is generally
monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood.
Both parents care for the young for a time. The
species is a prolific breeder, and pairs will often have
several broods per year. In warm areas, one pair may
have up to six broods a year. Mourning Doves eat
mainly seeds, including those of both native and
introduced plants.” The doves are hunted for sport and
as a source of food consumption (I do not contribute to
either). My relationship with the species is commensal. Pictures from

Neither I or they are harmed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronghorn &

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_dove
19. Cicada (Cicadoidea): These noise makers always come out around
monsoon season. Interestingly, there noises are not made by stridulation
like other insects. “Male cicadas have loud noisemakers called "timbals" on
the sides of the abdominal base… [these] timbals are regions of the
exoskeleton that are modified to form a complex membrane with thin,
membranous portions and thickened "ribs". Contracting the internal timbal
muscles produces a clicking sound as the timbals buckle inwards. As these
muscles relax, the timbals return to their original position producing another
click. The interior of the male abdomen is substantially hollow to amplify the
resonance of the sound. A cicada rapidly vibrates these membranes, and
enlarged chambers derived from the tracheae make its body serve as a
resonance chamber, greatly amplifying the sound. They modulate their
noise by wiggling their abdomens toward and away from the tree that they
are on.” All though I do not fall into this category, many individuals around
the world eat these bugs regularly. Also, in some countries such as China,
they are used in the traditional medicines, so you could say the species is
domesticated. My relationship with this species is commensal. They are
actually not a harm to humans because they do not sting or bite.

20. Orange-eye/butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii or Buddleia

davidii): These plants are pretty common in Prescott, I have
eight of them on my property. They are not domesticated for my
species, although they are a food source for many different
species of butterflies. My relationship with the shrubs is
commensal. They are watered every other day at my expense
and drenched by Arizona sunlight.

Pictures and verbiage from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_davidii & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicadas

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