57 results found

Search Results for: predator

Predation

In ecology, predation is a mechanism of population control. Thus, when the number of predators is scarce the number of... Read More

Predator-prey relationship

Definition noun An interaction between two organisms of unlike species in which one of them acts as a predator that... Read More

Apparent competition

Competition Definition One of the many branches of biology is ecology. Ecology is the study of the relationships that the... Read More

Mimicry

Most would say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. In some cases that is quite true. However, imitation or mimicking... Read More

Natural selection

Natural Selection Definition What is natural selection in biology? Natural selection is defined as a process in nature... Read More

Autotomy

Definition noun (1) (zoology) The intentional separation of a body part, usually as a protective evading mechanism against... Read More

Density dependent factor

Density-dependent factors are the limiting factors of an ecosystem that regulate population growth in a density-dependent... Read More

Trophic level

In ecology, a trophic level pertains to a position in a food chain or ecological pyramid occupied by a group of organisms... Read More

Heterotroph

Heterotroph Definition What is a heterotroph? Does a heterotroph make its own food? In biology and ecology, a heterotroph... Read More

Predator

Definition noun, plural: predators (ecology) An organism that preys upon other organisms. Supplement In ecology, predators... Read More

Interspecific competition

Interspecific Competition Definition In Biology, competition is defined as the process that occurs among species that have... Read More

Definitive host

Different Biological Relationships The biological world is interconnected whether we notice it or not. All the life forms... Read More

SENI Biometric Analysis on the extinct Scincidae species: Macroscincus coctei (underlined)

Brian L. Schnirel Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC) Courtesy: Polyphemos (2004)   Introduction: It has been... Read More

Realized niche

What is a niche? A niche can be defined as the means by which a species or an individual interacts with its environment. In... Read More

Community Patterns

By: Maria Victoria Gonzaga In the previous lesson, we learned what a population is, its attributes, and processes... Read More

Buffer

Definition noun, plural: buffers (1) (chemistry) A buffer solution : a solution containing either a weak acid and a... Read More

Plant sets off “SOS” for plant defense when it gets hurt

When herbivore, such as an insect, nibbles a plant leaf, the plant sets off an "SOS" or distress signal as one of the... Read More

Environmental resistance

Environmental Resistance Definition Environmental resistance is such a process in which certain different elements or... Read More

Thanatosis – Faking Death To Escape Doom

Thanatosis -- pretending to be dead -- is one of the best strategies that certain wild animals came up with in order to... Read More

Limiting factor

Limiting Factor Definition A limiting factor refers to any of the factors (variables) in an environment capable of limiting... Read More

Parasitism

Organisms depend on different sources of food to survive. Larger organisms like plants make their own food (autotrophs) and... Read More

New Zealand’s Unique Flora

By: Maria Victoria Gonzaga In the previous lesson, we've come to know some of the most fascinating endemic... Read More

Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

By: Maria Victoria Gonzaga Previously, we've seen the different animals endemic to New Zealand. Due to the... Read More

New Zealand’s Biodiversity

Written by: Maria Victoria Gonzaga Peer-reviewed by: Cathy Buntting, Ph.D. and Andrea Soanes Why is New... Read More

Biosecurity and Biocontrol

By: Maria Victoria Gonzaga In the previous lesson, we learned about the importance of modern science... Read More

Cnidocyte

Definition noun, plural: cnidocytes A specialized cell containing a cnidocyst involved in capturing prey and defense... Read More

Examples of Natural Selection

Reviewed by: Mary Anne Clark, Ph.D. Darwin's Finches Darwin's finches are an excellent example of the way in... Read More

Early Mammals on Earth

By the time the dinosaurs were extinct 65 million years ago, the world's landmass had split up into more or less the... Read More

Biological magnification

Definition noun, plural: biological magnification The increasing concentration of a particular substance (e.g. toxin) as it... Read More

Siphonophore

Definition noun, plural: siphonophores Any of the various marine invertebrate of the order Siphonohorae of the class... Read More

Density dependence

Definition noun (population ecology) An effect in which the intensity changes with the increasing population density, e.g.... Read More

Abscission

Definition noun (botany) The normal shedding of a senescent plant part or organ (e.g. old leaf or ripe fruit) (zoology) The... Read More

Arboreal locomotion

Definition noun A form of locomotion of animals that live in and move through trees Supplement Locomotion pertains to the... Read More

Population Growth and Survivorship

By: Maria Victoria Gonzaga Previously, we learned about biodiversity and endemism. Now, let's look at the... Read More

Phagotrophy

Definition noun A process of ingesting relatively large particles of food that carries out via intracellular... Read More

Nematocyte

Definition noun, plural: nematocytes A specialized cell containing a nematocyst used by cnidarians to capture their prey and... Read More

Monocular vision

Definition noun (1) (zoology) A type of vision in which one eye of the animal moves and sees objects independently of the... Read More

Ecosystem diversity

Ecosystem Diversity Definition What is ecosystem diversity? Ecosystem diversity deals with the study of different... Read More

Density dependent limiting factor

Definition noun A limiting factor of a population wherein large, dense populations are more strongly affected than small,... Read More

Fragmentation

Fragmentation Definition What is fragmentation? In general, fragmentation refers to the state or the process of breaking... Read More