Interspecies Interactions Group Discussion

Part A. Models of competition

1. Which graph shows competition between two different species? Graph B

2. Which graph in Model 3 shows population growth for only one species? Graph C
3. What is the difference between the growing conditions in graph A and graph B? Whether the two
populations were grown together or separately.
4. P. caudatum and P. aurelia are both species of Paramecium, a microscopic protozoan. P. caudatum is
the larger of the two species. When grown separately, which of the two species reaches a larger
relative population size after 20 days? P. Aurelia
5. When grown separately is there a substantial difference in the relative population size of the two types
of paramecia after 20 days? There is only a little difference between the two populations.
6. Compare graphs A and B in Model 3.
a. Which population of species of Paramecium is more affected when the two species are grown
together? P. caudatum
 b. Considering that P. caudatum is 50% larger in size than P. aurelia, develop a hypothesis with
your group to explain why interspecific competition has an effect on the relative population size
of P. caudatum. Interspecific competition affects the population size because of the competition
for resources and niches.
7. Refer to graph C in Model 3.
a. Describe the species of organism represented by the graph. R. tigrina
b. These tadpoles are confined to a limited environment. What are they all competing for in that
environment? Resources
c. What is the relationship between number of individuals and the time it takes for metamorphosis
to occur? What is the explanation for this relationship? The less individuals there are the less
time it takes for metamorphosis to occur. This relationship is because there is less competition
between the organisms when there are less than more individuals.
8. In grammatically correct sentences, define interspecific competition and intraspecific competition.
a. Interspecific competition is between individuals in different species, while intraspecific
competition is between organisms of the same species.

Part B. Symbiotic Relationships

9. Refer to the information given in Model 2.
a. In the dog and flea relationship, is there a benefit for one of the organisms or for both? The flea is the
one only oned that benefits.
b. Is either the dog or the flea harmed by this relationship? The dog is harmed in the relationship.
c. Which other relationship in Model 2 is similar to that between the dog and flea? The human and the
tapeworm.

10. Refer to the fungus and algae relationship in Model 2.

a. Is there a benefit for one of the organisms or for both? Both of the organisms benefit
b. Is either the fungus or the algae harmed by this relationship? Neither are harmed by the relationship.
c. Which other relationship in Model 2 is similar to that between the fungus and the algae? The Termite
and the bacteria.

11. Refer to the shark and remora relationship in Model 2.

 a. In the shark and remora relationship, is there a benefit for one of the organisms or for both? Only the
remora benefit.
b. Is either the shark or the remora harmed by this relationship? Neither are harmed by the relationship.
c. Which other relationship in Model 2 is similar to that between the shark and the remora? This is
similar to the cattle and cattle egret relationship.

12. Label each of the relationships in Model 2 as mutualism, parasitism or commensalism. (can edit table
directly)

Part C. Predator/Prey Cycles

13. When the number of snowshoe hares is high, what happens to the number of lynx? Use actual
data from the graph to support your observation. When the number of snowshow hares is high, the
number of lynx increases. This is seen when in 1885 the number of snowshoe hares increases, as well
as the number of lynx.
14. What happens to the population of lynx as the number of snowshoe hares decreases? Use actual
data from the graph to support your observation. When the number of snowshow hares decreases, the
number of lynx decreases. This is seen when in 1930 the number of snowshoe hares decreases, as
well as the number of lynx.
15. Propose an explanation for the apparent cause and effect relationship between the populations of lynx
and hares. With a lack of prey to eat, the lynx population will die of starvation.
16. What does this information tell you
a. about the effect of size of prey populations on the number of predators? When the number of
prey is high, the number of predators is high.
 b. about the effect of predators on the populations of their prey? When predators are low the
population of prey is low, but will quickly increase.
17. What other factor would influence the size of the hare population in addition to the size of the
population of lynx? The weather and diseases