Population EcologyI. AttributesII.DistributionIII. Population Growth changes in size through timeIV. Species InteractionsV. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource Interactions

Population EcologyI. AttributesII.DistributionIII. Population Growth changes in size through timeIV. Species InteractionsV. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Like Limiting Resources, Predators Reduce Population Size/Growth

PredatorsTarget SpeciesLimiting ResourcesBottom upTop down

Opuntia introduced into Australia for living fenceposts quickly spread

Cactoblastus catorum introduced from Argentina 95% reduction in 20 years.

Introduced in Africa and West Indies, and has invaded Florida and is wiping out several native species.

If prey increase when predators are removed, then predators were limiting population growthCyclamen mites: Important crop pests (strawberries, in particular). Females reproduce parthenogenetically and produce 10-40 offspring/day.

Cattle excluded Cattle grazing

Kelp and Urchins In 1940's:

Kelp and Urchins In 1940's:

As urchin density increases, kelp beds retreat (negative displacement) at a rate of meters/month

Moose and Wolves - Isle Royale

Moose and Wolves - Isle Royale1930's - Moose population = ~2400 on Isle Royale

1930's - Moose population about 2400 on Isle Royale1949 - Wolves cross on an ice bridge; studied since 1958

1930's - Moose population about 2400 on Isle Royale1949 - Wolves cross on an ice bridge; studied since 1958

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common Pattern Why?

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common Pattern Why?

Specialist predators and time lags between food consumption and increase in predator population (gestation)

A refuge where prey can hide and increase their population (seasonal, here): Voles and Owls in Sweden Damped Oscillations:Decrease in snow pack makes voles susceptible to owls all year, reducing the lag and reducing the amplitude of oscillationsWinter refuge for voles beneath the snow

Measles in London: 1948-1968 (before vaccine).In parasites where hosts develop immunity, the parasite can only increase after a population of susceptible hosts (babies) are produced.

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common PatternC. Models

1. Host-Pathogen Models

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common PatternC. Models

1. Host-Pathogen Models

Dependent on:a. the rate of transmission (b)(infectability)b. the rate of recovery (g) (inversely related to the period during which the host is contagious)c. the number of susceptible (S), infectious, and recovered hosts

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common PatternC. Models

1. Host-Pathogen Models

Dependent on:a. the rate of transmission (b)b. the rate of recovery (g) (inversely related to the period during which the host is contagious)c. the number of susceptible (S), infectious, and recovered hosts

The reproductive ratio of the pathogen, R =(b/g)S

so a pathogen population will grow (R > 1, epidemic) if :

the rate of transmission is high (infectious)recovery is slow (creating a long period of contagion) susceptible individuals are common.

In this case, each infected individual infects more than one new host and the disease spreads.

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common PatternC. Models

1. Host-Pathogen Models

As a disease proceeds and the number of susceptible individuals declines, R < 1 and the epidemic declines.

In the simplest version of this model (single generation), oscillations dont occur because there is no production of new susceptible people and immunity after recovery is permanent.

However, if you add the production of susceptible newborns or susceptible immigrants, or allow for vertical transmission from parent to offspring, or add a latency period, or allow for reinfection (and not lifetime immunity), oscillations and cyclic epidemic occur because the number of susceptible people can increase driving R > 1.

so a pathogen population will grow (R > 1, epidemic) if :

the rate of transmission is highrecovery is slow (creating a long period of contagion) or susceptible individuals are common.

In this case, each infected individual infects more than one new host and the disease spreads. Cold and Flu:

Transmission rate low - 34%

Recovery slow, favoring spread

(Viral integrity is greatest under low humidity, and particles remain small (dont take on water and fall out of the air column). Cool temps reduce ciliary beating in nasal and respiratory mucosa, favoring viral reproduction. Both cause higher transmission rates in winter.Lowen, et al. 2007. http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.0030151

so a pathogen population will grow (R > 1, epidemic) if :

the rate of transmission is highrecovery is slow (creating a long period of contagion) or susceptible individuals are common.

In this case, each infected individual infects more than one new host and the disease spreads. Ebola:

Transmission rate high ~75%

99% fatality rate short contagious period

Deadly pathogens need a high transmission rate to persist, or a very dense population (S).

so a pathogen population will grow (R > 1, epidemic) if :

the rate of transmission is highrecovery is slow (creating a long period of contagion) or susceptible individuals are common.

In this case, each infected individual infects more than one new host and the disease spreads. 1918 Flu Epidemic (H1N1):

Killed 50-100 million people; 3-5% of the global population

Transmission rate was high because of high density of susceptible hosts (military), and movement of carriers across Europe (military and migrating refugees).

High density selected for more aggressive and lethal form

Reduce Transmission Rate: - stay clean - stay home

Reduce Contagious Period: - stay healthy; get well soon

Reduce # of Susceptible Hosts: - get vaccinated

C. Models1. Host-Pathogen Model2. Lotka-Volterra ModelsGoal - create a model system in which there are oscillations of predator and prey populations that are out-of-phase with one another. Basic Equations:a. Prey (V = victim) Equation: dV/dt = rV - cVP where rV defines the maximal, exponential rate c = predator foraging efficiency: % eaten P = number of predators V= number of prey, so PV = number of encounters and cPV = number of prey killed (consumed) So, the formula describes the maximal growth rate, minus the number of prey individuals lost by predation.

The Prey Isocline dV/dt = 0 when rV = cPV; when P = r/c. Curious dynamic. There is a particular number of predators that can limit prey growth; below this number of predators, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PREY, prey increase. Greater than this number of predators, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PREY, and the prey declines. Prey's rate of growth is independent of its own density (rather unrealistic).

Vr/c

C. Models2. Lotka-Volterra Models

b. Predator The Equation: dP/dt = a(cPV) - dP where cPV equals the number of prey consumed, and a = the rate at which food energy is converted to offspring. So, a(cVP) = number of predator offspring produced. d = mortality rate, and P = # of predators, so dP = number of predators dying. So, the equation boils down to the birth rate (determined by energy "in" and conversion rate to offspring) minus the death rate.

The Predator's Isocline dP/dt = 0 when dP = a(cPV); or when V = d/ac Again, Predator's growth is independent of its own density. There is a critical number of prey which can support a predator population of any size; below this number, the predator population declines - above this number and the population can increase.

Vd/ac

Basic Equations:1. Prey 2. Predator3. Dynamics

1.2.3.4.1.2.3.4.1.(V)VOSCILLATIONS!!!d/acr/c

Curiously, the model predicts that an increase in the growth rate of prey (r to r) (favorable change in the environment?) should NOT change equilibrial PREY density (d/ac), but instead should cause PREDATOR population to grow to higher equilibrium (r/c).Experimental Support:

- Increase sugar to E. coli bacteria, and their population did not increase much as the predators (T4 phage) increased.

- Criticisms of the L-V model:

No time lags instantaneous conversion of food to predator offspringNo density dependence in prey, even at low predator densities when prey populations should be large.Constant predation rate (functional response)

V. Dynamics of Consumer-Resource InteractionsA. Predators can limit the growth of prey populationsB. Oscillations are a Common PatternC. ModelsD. Lab Experiments1. Gause

P. caudatum (prey) and Didinium nasutum (predator)

P. caudatum (prey) and Didinium nasutum (predator)

In initial experiments, Paramecium populations would increase, followed by a pulse of Didinium, and then they would crash.

P. caudatum (prey) and Didinium nasutum (predator)

In initial experiments, Paramecium populations would increase, followed by a pulse of Didinium, and then they would crash.

He added glass wool to the bottom, creating a REFUGE that the predator did not enter.

He induced oscillations by adding Paramecium as 'immigrants'

D. Laboratory Experiments

1. Gause2. Huffaker six-spotted mite (Eotetranychus sexmaculatus) was prey - SSM Predatory mite (Typhlodromus occidentalis) was predator - PM

D. Laboratory Experiments

1. Gause2. Huffaker 3. Holyoak and Lawler-1996

Holyoak and Lawler-1996 Used a bacteriovore ciliate, Colpidium striatum as the prey and our old friend Didinium nasutum as the predator.

3. Holyoak and Lawler-1996 Set up replicate 30mL bottles, linked together by tubes, and single flask systems.

D. Complexities and Applications 1. Achieving Stable Dynamics - inefficient predators: - both populations equilibrate at high density

- alternate prey: - Preds high, prey low (but not extinct if predator switches)

- prey refuge: - prey population dependent on size of the refuge - time lags: - reduced lag allows predator population to equilibrate with changes in prey, and less likely to go extinct by a crash.

D. Complexities and Applications 2. Multiple State StatesConsider a Type III functional response, where the predation rate is highest at intermediate prey densities, and density dependent birth rate of prey.

VBirth ratePredation Rate

D. Complexities and Applications 2. Multiple State StatesConsider a Type III functional response, where the predation rate is highest at intermediate prey densities, and density dependent birth rate of prey.

VBirth ratePredation RateTwo stable Equilibria, at high and low prey densities. One unstable equilibrium at intermediate density.