Intraspecific struggle: examples and features

The struggle for existence within one species since ancient times was the main condition for the implementation of natural selection. It also occurs at the present stage of life development. And it can be observed not only in the wild nature, but also in society. What is intraspecific struggle? Examples and its features we will consider in our article.

Features of intraspecific fighting

The species is the smallest taxa of plants and animals. It includes individuals that are similar in morphological and anatomical criteria, who cross freely, give fertile offspring, and occupy a certain area. Why does a struggle arise between individuals who have so many similarities? The thing is that they need the same living conditions. And within the limited area in which they live, the resources of the habitat are significantly limited. That is why the right to existence has to be proved. Intraspecific struggle, examples of which will be considered in the article, leads to natural selection. As a result, the strongest survives.

The struggle for power sources

What can individuals of one species fight for? First of all for food. After all, very often it is not enough for everyone. Ravens often peck weaker relatives, the Khrushchaks eat their eggs, all of which are examples of the intraspecific struggle for existence. It can be either individual or group. The famous evolutionist Charles Darwin believed that trophic competition is the most intense intraspecific struggle. Its examples are numerous: wolf families protect their territory from similar groups, gulls are pushed out of the nests of weaker chicks, trees with spreading crown absorb more sun energy, depriving other plants of conditions for photosynthesis.

Sexual Instinct

During the breeding season, in many animals, the struggle for the female among individuals of one species is particularly pronounced. In nature, sexual dimorphism is sufficiently developed . It consists in the morphological differences between the female and the male, belonging to the same species. And the latter have a brighter appearance to attract a female. Remember the colorful plumage of the roosters, the bright color of aquarium fish guppies, the gorgeous tail of a peacock, the luxurious head of a lion. All these attractive features are found only in males of these species. And the more they are developed, the more chances to attract a female. All these are examples of intraspecific struggle for existence.

And some animals take cardinal measures in the struggle for the possibility of reproduction. Roosters in the literal sense of the word arrange fights, sometimes causing at the same time serious injuries to each other. Even calm turtles in the mating season show aggression, entering fights. Less aggressive snakes. Diners form the so-called "marriage balls", simply interfering with each other. Most male birds lure females with singing. And the stork selects a nest, knocks on it with its beak and waits for its pair to arrive.

The territory of distribution: who is the first

Interspecific struggle is also being conducted over the territory of growth. Examples of plants that enter into it are quite numerous. Imagine that part of the coniferous forest has burnt out. After a certain period of time, young pine trees will again begin to appear on this place. Trees that grow first will have more resources for the development of the crown and root system and will occupy a dominant position. Even on one plant, large leaves shade smaller ones, preventing them from actively photosynthesizing, and therefore growing.

Intraspecific struggle, examples of which were cited in the article, lead to natural selection. It is sufficiently acute, since individuals with the same criteria need the same living conditions. Intraspecific struggle manifests itself in the form of trophic competition, competition for females during mating, primacy in the development of the territory.