In a juvenile ecosystem, the zoocenoses are often

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monophagous

polyphagous

oligophagous

carnivorous

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022

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In a juvenile (early successional) ecosystem, the food webs are typically simpler and less specialized compared to mature ecosystems. Zoocenoses (animal communities) often include generalist species that can feed on a variety of food sources. Polyphagy, meaning feeding on multiple types of food, is characteristic of generalist consumers.

– Juvenile ecosystems are characterized by high growth rates and potentially fluctuating resource availability.
– Generalist feeding strategies (polyphagy) can be advantageous in such environments, providing resilience to changes in the abundance of specific food items.
– Mature ecosystems tend to have more complex food webs and a higher degree of specialization (monophagy, oligophagy) among consumers, as niches become more defined.

Monophagous organisms feed on only one type of food, and oligophagous organisms feed on a few types. These specialized strategies are more commonly associated with the stability and niche complexity of mature ecosystems. Carnivory refers to a trophic level (meat-eating) rather than the breadth of diet within that level.

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