Which species interaction depends on prey density and effectiveness of prey defenses to determine the impact on the prey population?
A) competition
B) consumption
C) mutualism
D) commensalism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Consumption (also known as predation or herbivory) is the species interaction where one species (the consumer) eats another species (the prey). The impact of consumption on the prey population depends on both the density of the prey and the effectiveness of their defenses. If the prey population is high and their defenses are strong, then the impact of consumption will be lower. However, if the prey population is low and/or their defenses are weak, then the impact of consumption will be higher. Competition is the interaction where two or more species use the same limited resource(s), mutualism is a type of interaction where two species benefit from each other, and commensalism is a type of interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Which Species Interaction Depends on Prey Density and Effectiveness of Prey