Question

You are studying competition between two large predators, King Mackerel and Yellowfin Tuna. For the mackerel, K1​=3 million and a12​=2. For the tuna, K2​= 1 million and a21​=1. A. Draw the zero-growth isoclines for each species on the same plot. (hint: x axis is N1​ and y-axis is N2​ ) B. Suppose the initial population sizes are 2 million mackerel and 2 million tune. Predict the short-term dynamics of each population and the final outcome of interspecific competition.

Answer 1

To draw the zero-growth isoclines for the two predator species, King Mackerel and Yellowfin Tuna, we need to plot the equations that represent the points where the population growth rate of each species is zero.

A. Zero-Growth Isoclines:

The zero-growth isocline for King Mackerel (N1) can be represented by the equation: