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Chapter 13: Problem 1

Contrast amensalism and competition. What do ecologists mean when they refer to amensalism as a form of asymmetrical competition?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Amensalism is an ecological relationship between two species where one species is negatively affected, while the other species remains unaffected. Amensalism is considered a form of asymmetrical competition because one species has an inherent 'competitive advantage' over the negatively affected species, as there is no struggle for resources or harm to its growth, reproduction, or survival.

Step by step solution

01

Define Amensalism

Amensalism is an ecological relationship between two species where one species is negatively affected, while the other species remains unaffected. In this interaction, the unaffected species does not gain any benefit or suffer any harm from the relationship.
02

Define Competition

Competition is an ecological relationship between two or more species that struggle for the same limited resources such as food, water, space, or light. In competition, both species are negatively affected as they have to expend energy and resources to compete against each other, leading to reduced growth, reproduction, or survival.
03

Contrast Amensalism and Competition

The main difference between amensalism and competition lies in the impact on the interacting species. In amensalism, only one species is negatively affected while the other remains unaffected. In competition, both species involved are negatively affected due to the struggle for limited resources.
04

Define Asymmetrical Competition

Asymmetrical competition is a type of competition where one species has a significant advantage over the other in obtaining the limited resources. This advantage leads to unequal distribution of resources, causing the dominant species to grow and reproduce more efficiently than the weaker species.
05

Explain why Amensalism is considered to be a form of Asymmetrical Competition

Ecologists refer to amensalism as a form of asymmetrical competition because one species is negatively affected due to the presence of another species while the latter remains unaffected. Here, the unaffected species has an inherent 'competitive advantage' over the negatively affected species, as there is no struggle for resources or harm to its growth, reproduction, or survival.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If a predator affects all phenotypes within the prey population equally will the interaction function as an agent of natural selection?

What does a researcher need to establish to distinguish whether an interaction between two species is an example of commensalism or mutualism?

Do you think all species interactions influence the population dynamics of the species involved? Can you construct an example of where a population of predators may not have a negative impact on the population growth rate of the prey species?

If a phenotypic characteristic exhibited by a prey species functions to help individuals avoid being detected by predators, can we assume that the characteristic is a product of coevolution?
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