Tuesday, May 24, 2011

HBL Ryan Ong 2A228

2)How has/will human activities in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants?

Human activities in the Amazon regions will affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants. One such example is Deforestation. As seen in the TODAY article, the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants depend mainly on the tree stem where they will set up their traps to get their prey and their food source. However, when there are lesser trees, the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants would have fewer traps and that also means that lesser of its prey would be trapped. This will result in the lack of food source for the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants and cause a decrease in its population eventually. Therefore, human activities in the Amazon regions will affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants.

3a)From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved.Clue: There are at least 3 types of relationship.

When an insect passes overhead, the ants reach up and grab its free legs, wings and antennae, stretching it against the gallery.-Commensalism

Allomerus decemarticulatus uses a host plant (Hirtella physophora) and farms the unusual fungus in order to exploit a niche opportunity for protein.-Parasitism

The ants competing against the mould for the protein which is shared.-Competition

3b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.

Commensalism- Squirrel and Oak Tree
Parasitism- Flea and Dog
Competition- Turkey and Cardinal

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