PREDATION
In predation, one
individual, the predator,
captures, kills, and
consumes another
individual, the prey.
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Prey-predation interaction
A
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Graph interpretation
 The cycles of increase and decrease reflects a
predator –prey interaction
 e.g lions feeding on impalas, lynx feeding on rabbits
 Prey population reaches higher density than predator
population
 Portion A = geometric phase- rapid increase of prey,
predator population too low to hinder increase
 More prey means more food for predators and the
predator population increases
 More predators = increase in mortality of prey
 Less prey could cause predators to emigrate / die,
hence prey population can increase again
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Predators, Prey, and Natural Selection
 Natural Selection favours
adaptations that improve a
predator‘s efficiency at finding,
capturing, and consuming
prey.
 These adaptations include a
shark’s jaws, a scorpion’s
claws and stinger, and a
spider’s web and fangs
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Prey Adaptation
Some animals are
very fast and can
escape capture
simply due to their
speed
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Other prey animals
depend on
camouflage, hoping
to avoid detection
Some organisms are
poisonous and use
bright colors (often
yellow and black) to
warn other organisms
of their toxicity