Interaction Between Animals

Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer : Bella Ariana Semester : 4th Semester, 2022/2023 Sesion Interaction Between Animals The interactions between animals in ecosystems can vary widely. Here are some examples of interactions between animals: 1. Predation: The process by which one animal species (predator) preys on another animal species (prey) is known as predation. The following are examples of predation, where one species of animal preys on another species: • Prey on antelopes: Antelopes are the main predatory diet of lions. They use a group hunting strategy to hunt antelope, working together to chase and capture their prey. • Eagles prey on fish: Eagles such as the bald eagle or albatross often hunt fish in the water. They use their strength and agility to grab fish that are above the surface of the water. • Snakes eat mice: Many species of snakes eat mice. To kill and swallow rats, snakes use poisonous teeth or constrict their bodies. 2. Parasitism: Parasitism is when one species of animal (parasite) lives on or in another organism (host) and gets nutrition from it, while the host is usually doing harm. The following are some examples of parasitism, in which one species of animal (the parasite) lives on or in another organism (the host) and derives nutrition from it, while the host usually harms it: • Lice on humans or animals: Fleas are a common example of parasites on humans and animals. They live on their host's fur or hair and suck blood to meet their nutritional needs. Lice can cause itching, skin irritation, and spread of disease. • Intestinal worms in humans or animals: Parasites that live in the digestive tract of humans or animals are known as intestinal worms, such as pinworms or tapeworms. They can attach to the intestinal wall and draw nutrients from within, causing digestive problems and other health problems. • Lernaea on fish: The parasite known as ernaea attacks freshwater and marine fish. They bond with the bodies of fish and feed on the tissues and blood of their hosts. Lernaea attacks can cause damage to the fish's skin and gills, as well as secondary infections and a decrease in overall health. 3. Mutualism symbiosis: In mutualism symbiosis, two animal species benefit each other. Here are some examples of symbiotic mutualism, in which two animal species benefit each other in their relationship: • The relationship between cleaning birds and mammals: Cleaning birds, such as the yellow-footed or scraper bird, and some mammals, such as antelopes or monkeys, are symbiotic. Parasites and insects attached to the mammal's body are cleaned by these birds, which also clean the mammal's skin and help them obtain an adequate food source. • Relationship between pollinating bees and flowering plants: Pollinating bees, such as honey bees or honey-sucking bees, are the primary pollinators for many flowering plants. Pollen sticks to bees when they collect nectar from flowers. The bees then carry the pollen to the next flower to eat. Both pollination and plant reproduction are aided by this. • Relationship between ants and acacia trees: Acacia trees and ants are very helpful to each other. Ant nests are found in the thorns and petioles of acacia trees. In contrast, the predatory insects and herbivores that attack and drive away the acacia trees are protected by the ants. In addition, ants provide acacia trees with nutrients through their rich excretion of nutrients. 4. Competition: When two or more animal species compete for a limited resource, such as food, water, or shelter, it is called competence. The following are some examples of competition between animals, in which two or more species compete for limited resources: • Lion and hyena: Lions and hyenas are examples of predators that compete with each other in the same environment, such as the African prairies. Both fight over rights to the same food sources, such as animal carcasses, and sometimes go to war over this right. • Seed-eating birds: Many species of seed-eating birds compete for unusual seeds. Individual birds compete for and take seeds from trees or plants, and often there is competition between themselves. • Wild horses and bison: In some areas, wild horses and bison compete for the same grass as a food source. Both compete in accessing and consuming available grass in pastures or pastures. 5. Commensalism symbiosis: Commensalism symbiosis is when one animal species benefits without affecting the other species. Here are some examples of commensalism symbiosis: • Pelicans and fish: When pelicans dive into the water to catch fish, the startled minnows escape and swim in a different direction. Scraper birds, such as seagulls, often follow pelicans and take this opportunity to catch fish that are startled & pushed towards them. • Crab and sea slugs: Crabs often live in the empty shells of sea slugs. Crabs use the shell as a shelter, while sea slugs are not affected by the presence of crabs in their shells. • Cleaning birds and large animals: Some species of cleaning birds, such as fish cleaning birds or reptile cleaning birds, forage by cleaning parasites and dead tissue from the skin of large animals such as horses, rhinoceros or crocodiles. Cleaning birds do not bother these large animals, but these birds get their food from the parasites they remove. 6. Amensalism symbiosis: Amensalism symbiosis occurs when one animal species harms another species without deriving any benefit from the interaction. Here are some examples of amensalism symbiosis: • Production of antibacterial compounds by plants: Some plants produce chemical compounds with antibacterial or antimicrobial properties. This compound has the ability to influence the development and growth of bacteria located around plant roots. While these bacteria don't benefit plants directly, they can suffer population declines or growth delays. • Production of allelopathic compounds by plants: Some plants produce allelopathic compounds, which are chemical compounds that can inhibit the growth or development of other plants around them. This can create competition that is not detrimental to the plants that produce these compounds, while other plants are hampered in their growth and reproduction. • Algae or moss develop under shade trees: When shade trees form thick canopies, sunlight cannot reach the ground with sufficient intensity. Lack of sunlight can inhibit the growth of algae or moss on the ground under the trees. This is an example of amensalism where higher plants, such as trees, affect lower plants, such as mosses or algae. In conclusion, it can be said that within ecosystems, interactions between plants and animals can take various forms, such as competition, symbiosis, pollination, seed dispersal, and suppression or allelopathy. This plant-animal interaction is very important for population regulation and ecosystem balance. Forest structure and composition in the context of vegetation is very important to determine the diversity and stability of forest ecosystems. "Forest structure" is a term that refers to layers consisting of plants and other organisms in the forest, such as the canopy, middle layer, and bottom layer. Types and distribution of plant species included in the composition of the forest. When plants compete for limited resources, they can interact with each other. Moreover, plants and animals interact through symbiosis. Some examples of this symbiosis include mutualism, in which the two mutually benefit, and commensalism, in which one party benefits without affecting the other. The interactions between animals also include symbiosis, predation, and competition. Examples include pollination, an important process in plant reproduction, competition between predators for the same food source, and parasitic relationships, in which one species benefits another species to the detriment of it. Understanding how plants and animals interact allows us to understand how ecosystems work and the important role each creature plays in maintaining the balance of nature.