Critters and Creatures
What are the two types of predators?
Mesopredators and top/apex predators
What were the benefits of the removal of invasive species from Macquarie Island (name at least 2)?
What are 2 methods of removal of invasive species?
What is prey-switching behavior?
When a predator switches its prey species.
Why are islands chosen for studying invasive species effects on native habitats?
Island ecosystems are specifically vulnerable because:
- they are isolated
- lack of natural defenses
- high biodiversity
- high rate of extinctions
Which category of animal has the most substantial benefit from invasive species eradication/removal? Mammals, Reptiles, or Birds?
Birds!
How many species of birds (that we know about) went extinct as a result of being preyed on by feral cats?
Two (2)
What is Native Biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms that naturally occur in a specific area.
What is a mesopredator?
A middle of the food chain predator, which is generally smaller in size, hunts other animals, and is hunted by predators that are higher on the food chain.
What is the negative impact of an invasive HERBIVORE to a native habitat?
Overconsumption of native plants; destruction/alteration of environment;
What percentage (according to "global study") of global plant and animal extinctions are invasive species the ONLY contributor?
Invasive species are the ONLY contributor in 16% of global animal and plant extinctions.
How were the majority of rabbits removed from Macquarie Island?
The Myxoma virus was introduced using rabbit fleas as a biological control method. This reduced the rabbit population from approximately 130,000 to fewer than 20,000.
What are some challenges of invasive species removal? (Name 2)
Define "Invasive Predator".
An invasive predator is a non-native animal species that hunts other organisms in an ecosystem where they did not originally evolve.
What are effects of invasive PREDATORS on native biodiversity? (name 2)
In the global study, what categories of animal were recorded to have demonstrable benefits from the removal of invasive species? (Name 3)
Invertebrates; Landbird; Seabird; Mammal; Reptile.
How were the cats removed from Macquarie Island? (2 ways)
Helicopter poison & hunting.
(helicopters spread poison bait across island)
Which of the three types of predator functional response types is linear?
Type I
Define "Predator Functional Response".
The rate at which a predator consumes prey as a function of prey density
Name 2 benefits that stem from the removal of invasive species (for native species or habitats).
1. Increased population size of native species
2. Increased reproductive success of native species
3. Plant life, climate, etc were able to return to normal growth patterns
4. Native species able to recolonize after being pushed out
What 3 animals were the most commonly eradicated from the islands in the "global study"?
Rodents; Goats; Cats
Where is Macquarie Island?
Between Australia and Antarctica.
What behavior usually occurs to create a Type 3 predator function response?
prey switching behavior
What is a Trophic Cascade?
When changes at one level of the food web affects multiple other levels
What is the outlying variable in the "Type 2" predator functional response?
Handling time of prey by predator