Predator and prey : A tale of Dinosaurs
Ecology is the science of the study of ecosystems and ecological balance can be defined as “a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession.” and “A stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem.” The concept of predator and prey plays a vital role in maintenance of ecological balance in an ecosystem.Suppose if there is no prey then no predator and if no predator to eat prey ,then certain species of prey would drive other species to extinction through competition.So the most important thing for both predator and prey is undergo various adaptations to survive.
In order to survive on this planet all animals must eat. Prey must always look out for various methods or adaptations to survive from being eaten by the predators,who are always on look out for meal.They are many ways through which prey ensures from being eliminated.
Recent work published in “Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences” by Lisa Noelle Cooper et al, show some wonderful data on how the duck-billed hadrosaur survived in the past from its predator tyrannosaurs.
Hardrosaur was a plant eating Dinosaurs ,which lived 67 million to 80 million years ago was a one of three common prey for the meat-eating tyrannosaurs, but was the most vulnerable.Studying the bones of this plant eating dinosaur revealed some fascinating data about its survival.Hardosaur lacked the defensive apparatus (horns or had stout, tank-like bodies) which were present in plant eating dinosaurs of that time ,but this smart Dinosaur had an added advantage of growing very fast (five times more) and also reaching the age of maturity also rather quickly ,when compared to predators.By the time the duck-billed dinosaur was fully grown, the tyrannosaurs were only half grown – it was a huge size difference which aided Hardosaur for survival.
This strategy of survival of prey by outgrowing is also seen in living animals.killifish, a tiny freshwater fish found mainly in the Americas, mature faster when predators lurk. Anecdotal evidence suggests that creatures such as African ungulates grow big to create an advantage over lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
If possible try reading the complete article by these authors which displays very nice data proving that Hardosaur was able to partly avoid predators by outgrowing them.
Reference :
Lisa Noelle Cooper, Andrew H. Lee, Mark L. Taper and John R. Horner.
Relative growth rates of predator and prey dinosaurs reflect effects of predation.
DOI :10.1098/rspb.2008.0912
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