Animal Relations
Predator- Prey relationships are very fragile. They rely on each other for reproductive success. For example, a Tiger Snake and a Hopping Mouse live in the temperate rainforest biome. If the Tiger Snake population increases due to more successful reproduction, then the population of Hopping Mice will decrease. Since the Tiger Snakes food source is declining, they will start to die off. The snake population will eventually get smaller to catch up with the food source. This competition for food allows to more fit to survive and natural selection is occurring. This leads to the evolution of the Tiger Snake. (21)
In reverse, what if the population of Hopping Mice increases? Their prey will decrease and become less abundant, but their predators will increase as well. Once they run out of food, the mouse population will decrease as well as the Tiger Snake population. This pattern is an endless cycle affected by environmental factors. They all rely on each other for reproductive success. These predator- prey relationships piggy- back off of one another. (21)
|
Another relationship would be of the Tasmanian Grasshopper. This animal is hunted by the Tasmanian Tree Frog. If this predator declines or disappears, the grasshopper population would increase due to the lack of frogs. The grasshopper population would eventually out grow its habitat and food source. Since the food source is low, the grasshopper population will decrease. This cycle will repeat itself. (21)
If the population of Tasmanian Tree Frogs is reintroduced or increases, the grasshopper population will most likely return to normal. This constant relationship is needed to ensure that the environment is stable and equally balanced. (21)
|