Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Garter Snake, Prey Switching, Optimal Foraging Theory
1 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
Over half the species on earth get energy by feeding on other organisms, in a variety of types of interactions. All are exploitation a relationship in which one organism benefits by feeding on, and directly harming, another. Herbivore eats tissues of living plants or algae. Predator kills and eats other organisms, referred to as prey. Parasite lives in or on another organism (its host), feeding on parts of it: usually doesn"t kill the host, some parasites (pathogens) causes disease. Not all organisms fit neatly into these categories. Some predators, such as wolves, also eat berries, nuts, and leaves. Parasitoids are insects that lay an egg on or in another insect host. After hatching, larvae remain in the host, which they eat and often kill. Predators and herbivores both tend to feed on multiple individuals of prey or food plants in their lifetimes. Herbivores don"t usually kill the food organisms as predators do.
