Antagonistic Interactions

Species do not live in isolation from one another. The

interactions between species can be antagonistic, resulting in
winners and losers, or mutualistic, where everybody wins. 
In this activity, you will be able to explore the different types of
antagonistic interactions: competition, predation, parasitism and
herbivory. Work through the following examples to deepen your
understanding of antagonistic interactions. This will serve as
good preparation for the workshop activities this week.
 
Lions (Panthera leo) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are both
members of the Felidae family, endemic to the savannah grasslands
and dry scrub forests of Eastern and Southern Africa. Lions are very
muscular, being built for power rather than speed. Cheetahs, on the
other hand, are the fastest land animal in the world, reaching speeds
of 100-120 km/h. Lions, famous for their roar, can’t purr; whereas,
cheetahs are able to purr, but can’t roar. Most cats, including
cheetahs, are solitary, but lions live in social groups called prides.
Both lions and cheetahs love to eat antelope.
What type of behavioural interaction do you think this represents?
•Herbivory
•Parasitism
•Competition
•Predation
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are the largest land carnivores alive today.
They live in the Arctic Circle, where they use sea ice as a platform to hunt.
They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to two
minutes when diving. Although they appear to have white coats, their skin
is actually black! Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) also inhabit the Arctic and
sub-Arctic waters. They can dive down to depths of 100 metres and can
hold their breath for 45 minutes! They have strong thick claws which they
use to make breathing holes through ice sheets up to 2 metres thick.
Polar bears most often find them at these holes.
What type of behavioural interaction do you think this represents?
•Competition
•Parasitism
•Predation
•Herbivory
Silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) spin their cocoon in preparation for
becoming adult moths (the process of metamorphosis), and it is this
cocoon which is used to make silk. Silkworms have been farmed intensively
for at least the last 2,500 years, although remnants of silk found in tombs
date back as far as 8,500 years ago. The preferred food of the silkworm is
the leaves of the white mulberry (Morus alba), although the leaves of other
mulberry species are also palatable. The white mulberry is native to
northern China, but is now cultivated and naturalised in many other
locations around the world.
What type of behavioural interaction do you think this represents?
•Predation
•Competition
•Parasitism
•Herbivory
Cymothoid isopods can be found on the outside of fish and
include the infamous 'tongue-biters'. As adults, thay are often
found to be host specific. These isopods attach to the fish,
produce anticoagulants and consume the fish's blood. Different
species attach to different parts of the host, with the species in
this photo attached to the tail of the ray. Their mouthparts affix
themselves tightly to the flesh of the fish and other mouthparts
channel the hosts blood to their mouth.

What type of behavioural interaction do you think this

represents?
Parasitism
Predation
Competition
Herbivory
Aphids are insects that feed on the sap of plants in gardens. The
ladybird beetle is another insect commonly found in many
gardens, often in
the same places as aphids. Despite their common depictions, not
all ladybirds are red with black spots. Indeed, with about 5,000
species worldwide, they come in many different colours, with
only a few spots or many spots or no spots at all, and some even
have stripes. These colours and patterns serve as a warning to
potential predators that ladybirds are not very appetising. When
the ladybird beetles arrive, aphid numbers decline dramatically.

What type of behavioural interaction do you think this

represents?
Competition
Predation
Herbivory
Parasitism
In temperate forests in North America, mixed species of oak,
beech, maple
and hickory trees exist together. Large, established trees have
the ability to
utilise resources from a wide area, and reduce the amount of
light that filters
through to the forest floor. Amongst these established trees,
young saplings
must strive to reach the light and access resources. But only
some will survive.
What type of behavioural interaction do you think this
represents?
•Herbivory
•Competition
•Parasitism
•Predation
Summary of interactions
For each of the four interactions below, indicate whether they
are positive (+) or negative (-) for the donor (the individual who
would be performing the behaviour) and the recipient of the
behaviour.
Competition     Donor:  Recipient: 
Predation          Donor:  Recipient: 
Herbivory          Donor:  Recipient: 
Parasitism         Donor:  Recipient: