Chua Man Chin 2p307 LSS Ecology HBL 24/5/2011

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


Deforestation is the act of clearing trees. Deforestation has occur in the Amazon. It destroys their natural homes and habitat forcing them to relocate, sometimes they try to move into residential areas looking for food or shelter and this can be very dangerous depending on the animal. As the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants' availability food source depends largely by using plants as traps to capture animals, deforestation therefore will destroy their traps. As more of the plants get destroyed, more of the traps will also be destroyed, resulting in lesser availability of food source. Hence, as less food will be available for the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants, the figure will decrease significantly.


3) a) From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved.Clue: There are at least 3 types of relationship.
Commensalism 
Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants and Hirtella physophora
Competition
Allomerus decemarticulatus ants and the mould
Mutualism
Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants and mould


b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
Commensalism
Flatworm and Horsecrab: flatworm attaches to the horsecrab and eating the crab's food while the crab is unaffected. 

Competition
Tree and Herbaceouos Wild Flower: The trees, being taller, when leafed out, will prevent sunlight from reaching the smaller wild flower plants on the ground. In this case, the wild flowers accomplish their growth prior to the deciduous trees leafing out. 
Mutualism
Sea Anemones and Hermit Crab: The sea anemones give protection to the crab using its stinging cells, and it remoulds its shell to fit the crab while the hermit crab allows the sea anemones to consume the remains of its food, thus it also provides the sea anemones with food supply.