Community- The association between two or more populations of different species occupying the same geographical area at the same time.
One of the animals associated with harbor seals are any type of salmon. The relationship between salmon and harbor seal is a predator and prey relationship with the salmon being a major part of the seal's diet.
Another related population is the starring flounder. Again, this is predator-prey, with the seal being the predator.
The third and final related population would be the mud shrimp. This is also a predator-prey relationship with the seal as the predator.
Interspecific Competition- is individuals of multiple species fighting over the same limited resource.
One example of interspecific competition is between harbor seals and american wigeon's. Both of these two species compete over various mollusks in estuaries. A photo of the american wigeon is shown above. The picture of a harbor seal is shown below.
One of the animals associated with harbor seals are any type of salmon. The relationship between salmon and harbor seal is a predator and prey relationship with the salmon being a major part of the seal's diet.
Another related population is the starring flounder. Again, this is predator-prey, with the seal being the predator.
The third and final related population would be the mud shrimp. This is also a predator-prey relationship with the seal as the predator.
Interspecific Competition- is individuals of multiple species fighting over the same limited resource.
One example of interspecific competition is between harbor seals and american wigeon's. Both of these two species compete over various mollusks in estuaries. A photo of the american wigeon is shown above. The picture of a harbor seal is shown below.
Camouflage- Concealment by blending in with nearby surroundings.
The estuary stonefish is a great example of camouflage, being one of the most venomous fish in the world, but also at the same time, appearing as simply a rock.
The estuary stonefish is a great example of camouflage, being one of the most venomous fish in the world, but also at the same time, appearing as simply a rock.
Camouflage increases an organisms chance for survival, hiding it from possible predators, allowing it to reproduce and further carry on as a species.
Aggressive Mimicry- Is when an organism mimics the look of a harmless animal to get closer and avoid detection by their prey. The mimic octopus is a good example of this as it is able to search the ocean floor appearing to be animals like a crabs mate, only to end up devouring the crab.
Aggressive Mimicry- Is when an organism mimics the look of a harmless animal to get closer and avoid detection by their prey. The mimic octopus is a good example of this as it is able to search the ocean floor appearing to be animals like a crabs mate, only to end up devouring the crab.
Parasitism- A relationship between two species where one species benefits at the cost of another. The example of parasitism in estuaries is the boring sponge and the oyster. The boring sponge bores holes into its host seeking shelter, in this example the host being an oyster. Below is an image of the boring sponge affecting an oyster.
Invasive Species- are plants, animals, or pathogens that can or have caused harm to the ecosystem that it was introduced to. One invasive species in estuaries is the oyster drill. The oyster drill is a snail that feeds on oysters, mollusks, mussels, and barnacles. These small snails can cause extreme destruction, eating up entire beds of oyster and clam. These snails were probably introduced on accident, as passengers on ships. These snails are the worst enemies of oysters, adult clams, and even barnacles. The decimation of these species also affect many other animals, as the oysters, clams, and barnacles are relied on for food. The Olympia Oyster used to be extremely abundant in many estuaries, but the species was completely decimated, with the main culprit turning out to be the oyster drill. The picture below is an oyster drill.
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Synanceia+horrida
http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/american_wigeon_712.html
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-camouflage-in-animals-definition-examples-quiz.html
http://googleearthestuaries.blogspot.com/2011/01/mutualism-commensalism-parasitism-and.html
http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/estuaries/introduced.cfm
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/atlantic_oyster_drill
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2983/035.028.0115?journalCode=shre
http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/american_wigeon_712.html
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-camouflage-in-animals-definition-examples-quiz.html
http://googleearthestuaries.blogspot.com/2011/01/mutualism-commensalism-parasitism-and.html
http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/estuaries/introduced.cfm
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/atlantic_oyster_drill
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2983/035.028.0115?journalCode=shre