The main difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition is that the interspecific competition is the competition between members of different species for shared resources whereas the intraspecific competition is the competition between the members of same species for limited resources.
Interspecific and intraspecific competition are two types of ecological interactions between living organisms for the fulfillment of basic life requirements. Some examples of interspecific competition include finding mating partners, dominance competition, and competition for territory while some examples of intraspecific competition are competition for food, nutrients, space or territory.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Interspecific Competition
– Definition, Types, Importance
2. What is Intraspecific Competition
– Definition, Types, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Exploitative Competition, Interference Competition, Interspecific Competition, Intraspecific Competition, Population Dynamics
What is Interspecific Competition
Interspecific competition is the competition that occurs between different species in the same ecological area. The competition occurs for limited resources such as food, light, water, and territory. Two types of interspecific competition patterns can be identified between species based on the mechanism. They are:
- Exploitative competition – Here, the usage of a type of limited resources by a particular species makes the resource unavailable to the second species in the competition.
- Interference competition – It is the direct interaction of different species for resources.
Figure 1: Competition Between Panthera leo and Crocuta crocuta
There are two other types of interspecific competition based on the outcome.
- Scramble competition – Here, the competitor species are equally suppressed by the competition and the outcome can be either the reduction of survival or the birth rate.
- Contest competition – Here, one or a few competitors are not affected by the competition while all of the other competitors are affected seriously.
What is Intraspecific Competition
Intraspecific competition is the competition among members of the same species for limited resources in the same ecological area. It depends on the density of the population and the influence of this type of competition is high in a highly-dense population. More importantly, it is one of the main driving forces for evolution since it changes the population dynamics such as population size and composition. Here, only the individuals that are most suitable to the environment can survive.
Figure 2: Male Hartebeest Strenuously Defend Their Tterritories
Same as interspecific competition, intraspecific competition can also be subdivided into the exploitative competition, interference competition, scramble competition, and contest competition. Exploitative competition occurs when the members compete indirectly while interference competition occurs when the members compete directly. The most dramatic form of interspecific competition occurs among mates.
Similarities Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
- Interspecific and intraspecific competition are two types of symbiotic relationships between species in a same ecological area.
- They occur due to the limited resources in that ecological area such as food, mates, and territory.
- Both depend on the density of the population.
- Both types of competition can lead to evolution.
Difference Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
Definition
Interspecific competition refers to a form of competition between different species inhabiting the same ecological area while intraspecific competition refers to the competition for resources between members of the same species.
Competition
The competition in interspecific competition is between members of different species while the competition in intraspecific competition is between the members of the same species. This is the main difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition.
Adaptations
Also, interspecific competition occurs between individuals with different adaptations while intraspecific competition occurs between individuals with similar adaptations.
Requirements
Another difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition is the reason for the competition. Interspecific competition occurs for a specific requirement while intraspecific competition occurs for all types of requirements of the species.
Influence
One important difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition is the effect of the competition. Interspecific competition can suppress either both or one species while intraspecific competition directly affects the population size and composition.
Severity of the Effect
The effect of the interspecific interaction is not much severe while the effect of the intraspecific interaction can be severe.
Examples
Some examples of interspecific competition include competition between lions and tigers for similar prey and weeds growing in the field along with the paddy while some examples of intraspecific competition include finding mating partners, territorial competition, and dominance competition between members of the same species.
Conclusion
Interspecific competition is the competition between members of the different species either for food or territory while intraspecific interaction is the competition between the members of the same species for territory, food, and mating. The main difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition is the type of members involved in the competition.
Reference:
1. “Interspecific Competition: Definition, Examples, and Much More.” ScienceStruck, ScienceStruck, 26 Mar. 2018, Available Here
2. Beaudry, Frederic. “Intraspecific Competition Basics.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, Available Here
Image Courtesy:
1. “Panthera leo & Crocuta crocuta” By lubye13 – IMG_1300 (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”Fighting Hartebeest” By Filip Lachowski (malczyk) – (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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