What is interspecific competition in ecology explain, Biology

Assignment Help:

What is Interspecific Competition in ecology explain?

Populations in nature usually share their surrounding environment in time and space with populations of other species. If they rely upon the same resources, they may have to compete for them. Thus, the competition for resources between two or more species is referred to as interspecific competition. Competition for one or more resources could result in interactions that limit the size of a population, or populations.

1105_grown separation.png

A distinction is made between interspecific and intraspecific. The term interspecific refers to an interaction involving two different species, whereas intraspecific refers to an interaction that involves interaction between individuals of the same species.
Experimental evidence from a scientist named Gause as early as 1934 demonstrated how the interaction of two species of Paramecium (microscopic ciliates) resulted in decreased population sizes. Gause grew two species Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum together and compared their growth to populations grown separately.

75_grown separation1.png

As you can see from the results, when grown separately, both P. aurelia and P. caudatum populations grow to much higher numbers than when grown together in mixed culture with a fixed amount of food resource. P. aurelia grows at a much faster rate, and thereby out competes P. caudatum. The P. caudatum population is reduced, and possibly could either face extinction, or be excluded from the area, were it a natural population. This led Gause to his conclusion that two species that have identical niches cannot occupy the same environment at the same time. This later came to be known as Gauses Principle of Competitive Exclusion.

There are many examples of competitive exclusion at work in nature. Different species of barnacles inhabit different positions on the rocky shores along the coast of California. Experiments were carried out to determine the ranges of two species of barnacle, Cthamalus stellatus and Balanus balanoides. Balanus typically lives lower down on rocks in deeper water than Cthamalus, which grows further up on rocks in shallower water. J. H. Connell in an experiment, removed Balanus populations, allowing Cthamalus to extend down further and deeper. On the other hand, when he removed Cthamalus, Balanus did not move to occupy higher positions on the rocks.

1496_Interspecific Competition.png

A study of warblers conducted by R. MacArthur represents another well-known example of natural interspecific competition. He studied 5 species of warblers found in the northeastern U.S., which all feed on the same insects that lived typically in spruce trees. He asked the question: How do 5 different populations of different species co-exist without exclusion since they all partake of the same resource? The answer he found lay in what has come to be known as resource partitioning. Apparently each of the 5 species feed on different parts of the tree at the same time, reducing competition. One species fed on insects found in the interior reaches of tree branches, another fed at the top of the tree, another fed on the lower bottom branches, another species fed on mid-level inner branches, and the last species fed on the outer branches found at mid-height on the tree. In fact, the warblers filled different ecological niches, and therefore are able to coexist in the same environment at the same time.


Related Discussions:- What is interspecific competition in ecology explain

Explain total parenteral nutrition, Explain Total Parenteral Nutrition OPN)...

Explain Total Parenteral Nutrition OPN) It is a method of providing, complete nutritional support in which  the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is bypassed by introducing assimilab

To study the structure of a seed, To study the structure of a seed Soak...

To study the structure of a seed Soak seeds of bean, pea, pumpkin, sunflower, corn and other large forms. Take away the seed- coats and carefully cut the seeds open. Discover t

What is av block, Q. What is AV Block ? First Degree AV Block At ...

Q. What is AV Block ? First Degree AV Block At rest commonly disappears with exercise owing to the vagal withdrawal. The development of a prolonged PQ segment after exerc

Define interactions between volatile substances and proteins, Define Intera...

Define Interactions between Volatile Substances and Proteins? Flavour binding may involve adsorption at the surface of food or penetration to the food interiority by diffusion

Define composition of the diet during pregnancy period, Define composition ...

Define composition of the diet during pregnancy period? The composition of the diet during pregnancy should be the same as for a non- pregnant woman; hence the contribution to

Invertebrates - osmotic and ionic regulation, Invertebrates - Osmotic and I...

Invertebrates - Osmotic and Ionic Regulation Regulation of water and ions in invertebrates is done by neuroendocrine mechanism. It operates at the level of Malpighian tubules

Determine procedure for determination of protein content, Determine Procedu...

Determine Procedure for determination of protein content? Now carry out the procedure as enumerated herewith: 1. Preparation of standard albumin: A standard solution of 2 mg

In hormonal terms why does menses occur, In hormonal terms why does menses ...

In hormonal terms why does menses occur? Menses is the endometrial monthly desquamation that happens as the estrogen and progesterone levels fall after the regression of the co

Explain the characterstics of acute ar murmur, Explain the characterstics o...

Explain the characterstics of Acute AR Murmur ? Characteristic: Relatively low pitched, decrescendo diastolic murmur, which may end part way through diastole. These murmurs ar

Find the genotypes and phenotypes of the f1, Determine the genotypes and ph...

Determine the genotypes and phenotypes of the F1 generation from a colour blind father and a mother who is homozygous for normal colour vision.

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd