Generalist and specialist species

A generalist species is able to thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and can make use of a variety of different

), others less so, and some can tolerate many different environments. In other words, there is a continuum from highly specialized to broadly generalist species.

Description

, insects such as butterflies, eggs, and various small animals.

The distinction between generalists and specialists is not limited to animals. For example, some plants require a narrow range of temperatures, soil conditions and

or if it receives too much water.

When

When environmental conditions change, generalists are able to adapt, but specialists tend to fall victim to

is increased.

A benefit of a specialist species is that because the species has a more clearly defined niche, this reduces competition from other species. On the other hand, generalist species, by their nature, cannot realize as much resources from one niche, but instead find resources from many. Because other species can also be generalists, there is more competition between species, reducing the amount of resources for all generalists in an ecosystem.[4] Specialist herbivores can have morphological differences as compared to generalists that allow them to be more efficient at hunting a certain prey item, or able to eat a plant that generalists would be less tolerant of.^[5]

See also

• Cosmopolitan distribution
• Endemism
• Fitness landscape
• List of feeding behaviours

References

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/range556/appl_behave/projects/different_strokes.html