ecological niches

• Ecological niche


  The role of a species in an ecosystem
• Types of nutrition


  • Photosynthesis
  • Holozoic nutrition
  • Mixotrophic nutrition
  • Saprotrophic nutrition
• Obligate anaerobes


  Cannot survive in the presence of oxygen
• Facultative anaerobes


  Can survive in the presence or absence of oxygen
• Obligate aerobes


  Cannot survive in the absence of oxygen
• Photosynthesis


  Production of organic compounds using light energy
• Holozoic nutrition


  Food is ingested, digested internally, absorbed and assimilated
• Mixotrophic nutrition


  Can behave as autotrophs and heterotrophs
• Saprotrophic nutrition


  Obtaining nutrients by external digestion of food
• Archaea are one of the three domains of life
• Many archaea live in extreme environments such as hot springs
• Family Hominidae


  The family of the great apes, which are all tailless primates
• Members of the family Hominidae

  • Homo sapiens
  • Homo floresiensis
  • Paranthropus robustus
• Herbivores


  Eat predominantly plants
• Omnivores


  Eat plants and animals
• Plant adaptations against herbivores

  Physical structures such as thorns<|>Chemical deterrents like capsaicin and nicotine
• Predators


  Hunt and kill prey for food
• Prey


  Animals that are hunted and killed by predators
• Plants resist herbivory using thorns and other physical structures
• Some animals have metabolic adaptations for detoxifying toxins
• Flat molars for grinding grass are adaptations of grazing mammals
• Grasshoppers have sharp mandibles adapted for eating grass
• Aphids have stylets which they insert directly into the phloem of plants
• Competitive exclusion and the uniqueness of ecological niches are important concepts in ecology
• Buffalos are herbivores adapted to eating grass
• Chewing Mouthparts


  • Many insects have evolved chewing mouthparts to consume plants
  • Grasshoppers have sharp mandibles adapted for eating grass
  • Strong muscles manipulate the mandibles to bite and grind leaves
• Piercing Mouthparts


  • Some insects have evolved piercing mouthparts to feed on plants
  • Aphids have stylets to obtain nutrients from the phloem of plants
• Prey


  Avoid being killed by predators
• Predator Physical Adaptations


  • Sharp talons to grip prey
  • Sharp claws and teeth to capture and kill prey
  • Speed and agility to chase prey
  • Camouflage to blend in with the environment
• Predator - Chemical Adaptations

  • Production of venom in glands
  • Komodo dragons have a venom gland that prevents blood clotting
• Predator - Behavioural Adaptations

  • Hunting in packs to overwhelm prey
  • Ambush tactics to wait for prey
• Prey - Physical Adaptations

  • Protective coverings to deter predators
  • Swift and agile to escape predators
  • Camouflage to avoid detection
  • Mimicry to resemble unpalatable species
• Prey - Chemical Adaptations

  • Production of toxic or unpalatable chemicals to discourage predators
• Prey - Behavioural Adaptations

  • Travelling in groups for protection
  • Swarms to confuse predators
  • Alarm calls to alert others of predators
  • Nocturnality or diurnality to avoid predator activity
• Plant Adaptations for Harvesting Light

  • Trees that reach the canopy
  • Lianas
  • Epiphytes growing on branches of trees
  • Strangler epiphytes
  • Shade-tolerant shrubs and herbs growing on the forest floor
• Canopy Trees


  • Tall trunks to reach sunlight
  • Broad crowns to maximize light absorption
  • Broad flat leaves to minimize self-shading
• Liana Vines


  • Climbing mechanisms to reach light
  • Rapid growth to quickly access sunlight
  • Flexible and thin stems to navigate obstacles
  • Large broad leaves for light absorption
• Epiphytes


  • Grow on canopy trees to harvest filtered light
  • Broad flat leaves for light absorption
  • Flexible growth to adjust towards light
• Strangler Epiphytes


  • Germinate in branches and send roots downwards
  • Surround host tree to outcompete for light
• Shade Tolerant Plants


  • Branching to increase surface area for light absorption
  • Broad leaves for maximizing light absorption
  • High concentration of chlorophyll for capturing light