Examples of Competition in Animals

In biology, it is known as competence to the relationship of rivalry and antagonism that arises between two individuals of the same species (intraspecific competition) or different species (interspecific competition) for the means available in the ecosystem. This type of relationship is the opposite of biological cooperation.

Competition occurs when the available resources are not abundant enough to supply all individuals. These resources can be basic elements such as food and water, or the availability of viable pairs for mating, or territorial control. And, therefore, it can occur between two or more individuals, and even between groups, stocks and entire species.

Competition was an important element in Charles Darwin's considerations of evolution, which were developed from his studies on the origin of species. The struggle for survival and reproduction are, from this point of view, the engine of evolution, as the Species compete with each other to better adapt to changes in the environment and also to their own adaptations. competitors.

Competition between members of the same species is called intraspecific competition, and competition between animals of different species is called interspecific competition.

Examples of competition between animals

Examples of intraspecific competition:

1. Lions are very territorial animals, controlling the hunt in their surroundings. When a lion gets out of his territory and invades another's, it is the occasion for a fight or least one intimidation, in which the defender must expel the other and force him to look for a piece of land own.
2. The males of different species of herbivores antlers, such as reindeer, deer, and elk, compete with each other for access to females, crashing again and again her antlers until one of the two prevails over the other by brute force. The winner can then mate with the female.
3. Macaques often control the food available to the herd: higher ranking individuals have more access to food than those on the lower rungs. Thus, the dominant monkeys are stronger and larger than the others.
4. Many species of birds compete with each other for the attention of the female in the mating season, through song and beauty of their plumage, making showy dances and flights to convince the female to choose them as the best candidate for pair.

Examples of interspecific competition:

1. In cities, pigeons often compete with other wild bird species for access to food. Especially in the squares and open places where crumbs and remains of human food abound, we can witness the struggle to take over a piece of bread that exists between the members of both species.
2. Lions and hyenas in the African savannah often hunt rodents and other smaller herbivores, so there is competition between the two species for available prey.
3. During the hot African summer, large herbivores often compete for control of small pools and natural lagoons, which they try to occupy in their entirety to prevent other species from bathing and drinking the Water. This type of competition occurs between elephants, wild boars, rhinos, etc.
4. The introduction of an invasive species such as rabbits in the Australian ecosystem, arrived there in the 19th century by European hands, produced a competition ferocious with the local rodent species, since the rabbits, having no natural predators, reproduced uncontrollably and took over the food sources available.

References:

• “Competence (biology)” on Wikipedia.
• Intraspecific competition Wikipedia.
• “Interspecific competition” in Wikipedia.
• “Intraspecific relationships” in the CCH Academic Portal of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
• "Competition" in CONICET Mendoza (Argentina).

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