Question
Cryptococcus neoformans and the closely related species Cryptococcus gattii are human fungal pathogens. The reproduction of these yeast species on increasing concentrations of pigeon droppings (PD) was examined to determine whether they occupy the same or different ecological niches. The results for reproduction are expressed as a percentage relative to the control.
Suggest how this experiment shows that pigeon droppings represent a realized ecological niche for C. neoformans and a fundamental (but not a realized) niche for C. gattii.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
a. the realized niche is the actual while the fundamental niche is «all of» the potential
b. «shared» fundamental niche shown by equal reproduction on control
c. C. neoformans reproduces on PD indicating a realized ecological niche
d. competitive exclusion decreases realized niche of C. gattii
e. C. gattii reproduces poorly on PD representing a fundamental niche
OR
C. gattii reproduces poorly on PD so not a realized niche
Question
Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae, called Zooxanthellae, that live in their cells. Coral bleaching can occur as a result of human-induced changes leading to the Zooxanthellae being ejected from the coral.
a. State the type of interaction that occurs between Zooxanthellae and reef-building corals. [1]
b. State the trophic level of Zooxanthellae. [1]
c. When coral is bleached, certain organisms become more common in the ecosystem such as the cnidarian Gorgonia, the echinoderm Diadema, other algae and certain sponges. State the term that is used for organisms whose presence provides evidence of the existence of a particular environmental condition. [1]
d. A coat of algae builds up on coral reefs as a consequence of eutrophication. Explain the relationship between eutrophication and algal growth. [2]
e. Explain how an excessive growth of algae on coral reefs can be controlled by top-down factors. [2]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
symbiosis/mutualism
producers
indicator species
a. eutrophication is nutrient enrichment of a body of water
b. example of nutrients eg: nitrates
c. «nutrients» serve as fertilizer for the algae «promoting growth»
a. top-down factors refer to predation/herbivory/trophic level above another one
b. which limit/control population growth
c. named example of a top-down predator eg: parrotfish. Do not accept general names, like “fish”.