Think about the many roles played by the alligator in the Everglades. For each of the relationships listed here, identify an example of the alligator and another species that illustrates that relationship: predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In the Everglades, the American alligator exhibits various relationships with other species. A predation example is the alligator preying on bluegill fish; a competition instance is the resource rivalry between American alligators and American crocodiles. A mutualistic relationship can be observed between alligators and great egrets, where alligator holes provide nesting and feeding opportunities for the birds. Lastly, a commensalism relationship exists between alligators and cattle egrets, where the birds feed on insects and parasites off the alligators without affecting them negatively.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Relationships

Before identifying the relationships involving alligators, it is essential to understand the meaning of the terms predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism. - Predation: This is when one organism (the predator) hunts, kills, and consumes another organism (the prey). - Competition: This occurs when organisms vie for the same limited resources, such as food, shelter, or mates. - Mutualism: This is a relationship between two species in which both parties benefit from the interaction. - Commensalism: This is a relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is not affected.
02

Alligator Predation Relationship Example

In the Everglades, an example of a predation relationship involving an alligator is between the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and a fish species like the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). In this relationship, the alligator preys on the bluegill, providing the alligator with a food source while decreasing the bluegill population.
03

Alligator Competition Relationship Example

An example of competition involving the alligator in the Everglades is between the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Both of these large reptiles compete for resources such as food, nesting sites, and basking areas in their overlapping habitats in the Florida Everglades.
04

Alligator Mutualism Relationship Example

An example of a mutualistic relationship between the alligator and another species in the Everglades is with the great egret (Ardea alba). When alligators build their nests, they create small ponds known as alligator holes. These holes provide a habitat for fish, which attract wading birds, like the great egret, to the area. The egret benefits from the alligator hole by having a reliable food source, while the alligator benefits from additional food sources that the egret may not consume.
05

Alligator Commensalism Relationship Example

Finally, an example of a commensalism relationship involving the alligator in the Everglades is with a bird species called the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis). Cattle egrets are often seen perched on alligators' backs, picking off and eating insects and parasites such as ticks. The cattle egret benefits from this relationship by getting free access to an easily accessible food source, while the alligator is not negatively affected by the presence of the egret.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free