Species Interactions

By Sarah Cameron

Species CompetitionInterspecific

Competition:competition between members of different species

Intraspecific Competition:competition between members of the same species

Competitive Exclusion vs. Species Coexistence

Competitive exclusion - when a species entirely excludes another species from the use of a resource

Species coexistence - when none of the competing species exclude each other, but instead are able to live side by side

Types of Niches Fundamental Niche-

the full niche where a species could live

Realized Niche-the portion of the fundamental niche where a species actually lives

Mutualism

Mutualism is a relationship in which two or more species benefit from interaction with one another

Examples:Bumble Bee &

Flower

Clownfish and Sea Anemone

Resource Partitioning Resource

partitioning- species adapt to competition by evolving to use different resources or using their shared resources in different ways

Partitioning = Dividing

Can lead to character displacement – evolving characteristics that reflect their different reliance on resources

Example of Character Displacement

AMENSALISM

Amensalism- relationship in which one organism is harmed while the other is unaffected

Example:Black Walnut Tree

Allelopathy- plants release poisonous chemicals that harm those surrounding them

Commensalism- one species is benefited and the other is unaffected

Example:Remora Shark

Commensalism