Several Cells of the Prey Species, the Green Alga Monoraphidium minutum (IMAGE)

McGill University

Several Cells of the Prey Species, the Green Alga Monoraphidium minutum

Caption

Predator-prey cycles are based on a feeding relationship between two species: if the prey species rapidly multiplies, the number of predators increases -- until the predators eventually eat so many prey that the prey population dwindles again. Soon afterwards, predator numbers likewise decrease due to starvation. This in turn leads to a rapid increase in the prey population -- and a new cycle begins.

Credit

Guntram Weithoff, University of Potsdam

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