1. Nurse Shark and Slipper Lobster: Nurse sharks are predators to slipper lobster. Nurse sharks have an advantage over the slipper lobster because the nurse shark swims overhead so the slipper lobster is directly in their line of sight. Slipper lobster have developed some defence mechanisms, through evolution, like sound. Lobsters of all kinds can create a sound that will cause predators to swim away and not eat them.
2. Great Barracuda and Stripped Anchovy: Stripped anchovy are prey to great barracuda. Great barracuda are thin and can slip into places that other large predators cannot. Anchovies have developed some defence mechanisms through evolution. One of these is their instinct to stay in groups and form a "ball" when faced against a predator.
3. Queen Parrotfish and Boulder Star Coral: Queen parrotfish are predators to boulder star coral. Coral have the ability to release chemicals and harm other coral so the coral that released the chemicals can expand more. Parrotfish are able to eat the coral because of their parrot-like mouth structure and compacted teeth.
4. Flying Gurnard and Ciliated False Squilla: Ciliated false squilla are prey to flying gurnard. Flying gurnard have large pectoral fins that allow them to scare off predators and reduce the amount of predators who eat them.
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ROLE OF PREDATION IN POPULATION CONTROL:
Common trends in population cycles in predation are as follows: as the number of prey increases so does the number of predators. As the predators increase the prey decrease. As the prey decrease so do the number of predators. As the number of predators decreases the number of prey increases and then the cycle occurs again.
One example of a predator-prey relationship contributing to population control is the relationship between boulder star coral, queen parrotfish, and piscivores. Theoretically when boulder star coral increases so will queen parrotfish and so will piscivores. As queen parrotfish increase the amount of coral decreases. As the coral decreases competition occurs within the parrotfish species and the weak are eaten by piscovores resulting in a parrotfish decrease. With a decrease in parrotfish, piscovores will also decrease due to survival of the fittest. As parrotfish and piscovores decrease, coral will increase restarting the cycle. (Keep in mind that this occurs over a very long period of time).
A second example of a predator-prey relationship contributing to popualtion control is the relationship between flying gurnard, ciliated false squilla, and algae. Theoretically when the amount of algae increses so will ciliated false squilla and flying gurnard. As these two increase algae will decrease. This decrease in algae will cause competition between ciliated false squilla and the week will be eated by flying gurnard. As the population of ciliated false squilla decreases so will the population of flying gurnard through the process of survival of the fitest. As the two predator populations decrease the amount of algae will begin to increase again restarting the cycle. (Remember that this cycle occurs over a very long period of time).