The Effects of Limiting Factors on Seahorse Population There are over 50 different species of seahorses, yet they all have very similar characteristics. They all have the same relative shape, size, food source, and habitat. However, there are certain limiting factors with which each unique population must deal. Limiting factors affect the population size and density of seahorses, but also keeps them in check. Seahorses are small animals that live in the tropical or temperate coastal waters of the ocean and inhabit plants such as mangroves, eelgrass, or coral. The average size of these creatures ranges from 0.6 to 14 inches. Teeth and a stomach are not included in the body of a seahorse. They breathe through gills, and the only source of movement
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Seahorses main sources of food include small shrimp and plankton. For an average seahorse to survive, an adult must eat 30-50 times a day and a baby must eat up to 3,000 pieces of food a day because their digestive system passes food through so quickly. However, other animals besides seahorses eat plankton and shrimp as a food source. Therefore, the greater number of seahorses and other species in a population, the less amount of food each individual would receive would be less and less until the food source dwindles down to nothing. To allow for each animal—seahorse or other animal that eats shrimp or plankton—to collect enough food, the population of each must be distributed throughout different areas and populations of the ocean.
Crustaceans, sting rays and some fish are predators to seahorses. The number of these species in an area of seahorses affects how many seahorses will survive in their habitat. However, predator-prey relationships between these different species have a cause and effect relationship as well. As the number of seahorses increases, the population size and density of the predators will increase. On the other hand, the predator population size and density will decrease as the size and density of the seahorse population decreases. In relationship, they are both limiting factors for one
Seahorses main sources of food include small shrimp and plankton. For an average seahorse to survive, an adult must eat 30-50 times a day and a baby must eat up to 3,000 pieces of food a day because their digestive system passes food through so quickly. However, other animals besides seahorses eat plankton and shrimp as a food source. Therefore, the greater number of seahorses and other species in a population, the less amount of food each individual would receive would be less and less until the food source dwindles down to nothing. To allow for each animal—seahorse or other animal that eats shrimp or plankton—to collect enough food, the population of each must be distributed throughout different areas and populations of the ocean.
Crustaceans, sting rays and some fish are predators to seahorses. The number of these species in an area of seahorses affects how many seahorses will survive in their habitat. However, predator-prey relationships between these different species have a cause and effect relationship as well. As the number of seahorses increases, the population size and density of the predators will increase. On the other hand, the predator population size and density will decrease as the size and density of the seahorse population decreases. In relationship, they are both limiting factors for one