Niche of a Generalist Apex Predator (presentation)
Subject
Washington and Lee University -- Summer Research Scholars Program
Praying mantis
Niche (Ecology
Diet -- Analysis
Metadata
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Meredith Clare Campbell is a member of the Class of 2015 of Washington and Lee University. Joseph Michael Taylor is a member of the Class of 2015 of Washington and Lee University. The files available include the PowerPoint presentation (which includes a set of slides with notes), a PDF version of the presentation (which includes only the slides), and a PDF version of the notes which accompanied the slides in the original PowerPoint presentation. Presentation; [FULL-TEXT FREELY AVAILABLE ONLINE] The case for the importance of predators in controlling structure and function of lower trophic levels in ecosystems has gained considerable currency in recent years. Predators control biodiversity through direct and indirect interactions with other organisms in their ecosystem and influence community structure. Most animals are insects. Most predators are generalists, meaning that they feed on multiple trophic levels. It is difficult to determine the direct effect of these apex predators on their ecosystems. We used stable isotope analysis of praying mantids and their prey to provide a model for generalist apex predators. [From Notes] Meredith C. Campbell Joseph M. Taylor