The struggle for existence within one species since ancient times was the main condition for the implementation of natural selection. It occurs at the present stage of development of life. Moreover, it can be observed not only in the wild, but also in society. What is intraspecific struggle? Examples and its features we will consider in our article.
Features of intraspecific struggle
The species is the smallest taxon of plants and animals. It includes individuals similar in morphological and anatomical criteria, which freely interbreed, give rise to prolific offspring and occupy a specific range. Why is there a struggle between individuals with so many similarities? The thing is that they need the same living conditions. And within the limited area in which they live, habitat resources are significantly limited. That is why the right to exist has to be proved. Intraspecific struggle, examples of which will be considered in the article, leads to natural selection. As a result, the fittest survives.
The struggle for power sources
What can individuals of one species fight for? First of all, for food. Indeed, very often it is simply not enough for everyone. Ravens often peck at weaker relatives, the Khrushchaks eat laid eggs - all these are examples of the intraspecific struggle for existence. It can be both individual and group in nature. The famous evolutionist Charles Darwin believed that trophic competition is the most intense intraspecific struggle. There are numerous examples: wolf families protect their territory from such groups, gulls push weaker chicks out of their nests, trees with a spreading crown absorb more solar energy, depriving other plants of the conditions for photosynthesis.
Sexual instinct
During the breeding season, many animals have a particularly pronounced struggle for a female among individuals of the same species. In nature, sexual dimorphism is well developed . It consists in morphological differences between a female and a male, belonging to the same species. Moreover, the latter have a brighter appearance to attract a female. Remember the colorful plumage of roosters, the bright color of the guppy aquarium fish, the gorgeous peacock tail, the luxurious lion head. All these attractive features are only in males of these species. And the stronger they are developed, the more chances to attract a female. All these are examples of the intraspecific struggle for existence.
And some animals take drastic measures in the struggle for the possibility of reproduction. Roosters in the literal sense of the word arrange fights, sometimes inflicting serious injuries on each other. Even calm turtles during the mating season are aggressive, entering into fights. Less aggressive snakes. The snakes form the so-called "marriage balls", just interfering with each other. Most male birds attract females by singing. A stork picks a nest, knocks on it with its beak and waits for its pair to arrive.
Territory of distribution: who is the first
Intraspecific struggle is also waged for the territory of growth . Examples of plants that enter it are quite numerous. Imagine that part of the coniferous forest burned out. After a certain period of time, young pines will begin to appear in this place again. The trees that grow first will have more resources for the development of the crown and root system and will dominate. Even on one plant, large leaves obscure smaller ones, preventing them from actively photosynthesizing, and therefore growing.
Intraspecific struggle, examples of which were given in the article, leads to natural selection. It is quite acute, because individuals with the same criteria need the same living conditions. Intraspecific struggle manifests itself in the form of trophic competition, competitions for females during the mating period, and primacy in the development of the territory.