Question

identify two anti-predator/anti-herbivory adaptations. for each adaptation explain how it protects the prey species from predators/herbivores. and explain how these adaptations arose via natural selection. include the definition of natural selection

Answer 1

Anti-predator adaptations are adaptations in a prey to protect itself from the predators.

1. Camouflage :- the prey has colour similar to the background on which it is present. This makes it hard for the predators to locate the prey hence the prey survives.

2. Mimicry :- unharmful/palatable species of prey mimics a harmful/unpalatable species (model). The predator has memory of encounter with the unpalatable model and avoids feeding on it. So when another species mimics the model, the predators mistaken it as harmful and avoids eating it.

Anti-herbivory adaptations in plants to deter herbivores from grazing upon them.

1. Spines and thorns :- these are anatomical adaptations present in plants to avoid herbivory.

2. Cardiac glycosides :- some plants produce cardiac glycosides, these substance leads to death of herbivores if they feed on these plants. So over the period of time herbivores learn to avoid these plants and hence plants get protected.

Natural selection is differential survival of organisms with different phenotypic traits due to difference in their reproductive rates. Natural selection leads to adaptation of organisms to their environment. For eg if there is a green coloured insect and a red coloured insect feeding on green coloured leaves. The green one is easily camouflaged against the background while red one will be easily spotted by the predators. Green insects survive and reproduce more , i.e. natural selection, hence the organism gets adapted.