What competition occurs between individuals of the same species?

Intraspecific competition refers specifically to the competition that occurs between individuals of the same species. This type of competition arises when individuals compete for the same limited resources, such as food, water, territory, or mates. Because members of the same species have similar needs and requirements, they are often in direct competition with one another for these essential resources.

This competition can profoundly affect population dynamics, leading to natural selection, where individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. For instance, if a population is dense and resources become scarce, some individual members may struggle to find sufficient food or mates, influencing their growth and reproductive success.

In contrast, interspecific competition occurs between different species that may compete for similar resources, while predatory competition specifically relates to interactions between predators and their prey. Resource competition is a broader term that can include both interspecific and intraspecific competition but does not specifically denote competition among individuals of the same species as intraspecific competition does.