Question

Predation. Answer questions 1&2

Faced with a variety of potential food choices, predators must make decisions. Which types of food to eat? Where and how long to search for food? But how are these decisions made? Do predators function pursuing prey as they are encountered, or do they make choices and pass by potential prey of lesser food quality (energy content) while continuing the search for more preferred food types? If the objective is to maximize energy intake (energy gain per unit time), a predator should forage in a way that maximizes benefits (energy gained from consuming prey) relative to costs (energy expended). This concept of maximizing energy intake is the basis for models of optimal foraging.

Answer 1

1.E/(T_h+T_S)=12.26kj/3.1_s+37.9=0.299 for Chitons

E/(T_h+T_S)=1.42kj/2.9_s+18.9=0.0651 for Mussels

       As the energy value of chiton is higher than Mussel even after reducing the value by half so it should opt for Chiton.

2.Natural Selection will always be beneficial for the predator when the prey is source of high energy but the availibility also matters and high availibity of the prey will only be possible when it is fit to survive in the enviornment.

by evolution only the survival f fittest matters.