Which scenario is an example of intraspecific competition?

Which scenario is an example of intraspecific competition?

• A. A male lion must have his own territory to hunt and attract females.
• B. Two different species of plants compete for sunlight.
• C. A flock of birds competing for food.
• D. Fish competing for space in a reef.

Answer: (A)

Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of the same species competing for limited resources, such as food, territory, or mates. The correct scenario illustrates a male lion needing to secure a territory to hunt and attract females, which emphasizes the competition among male lions within the same species to establish dominance and reproductive success. This competition is crucial for their survival and propagation of the species, making it a clear example of intraspecific competition. In this context, the other scenarios involve different types of competition. The flock of birds competing for food represents interspecific competition if they are different species. Similarly, the scenario with two different species of plants competing for sunlight also exemplifies interspecific competition. The fish competing for space in a reef may involve both intraspecific and interspecific competition depending on whether they are the same or different species, but it does not specifically highlight individuals of the same species striving against one another for resources. Therefore, the competition for territory among male lions is a clear instance of intraspecific competition.

Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of the same species competing for limited resources, such as food, territory, or mates. The correct scenario illustrates a male lion needing to secure a territory to hunt and attract females, which emphasizes the competition among male lions within the same species to establish dominance and reproductive success. This competition is crucial for their survival and propagation of the species, making it a clear example of intraspecific competition.

In this context, the other scenarios involve different types of competition. The flock of birds competing for food represents interspecific competition if they are different species. Similarly, the scenario with two different species of plants competing for sunlight also exemplifies interspecific competition. The fish competing for space in a reef may involve both intraspecific and interspecific competition depending on whether they are the same or different species, but it does not specifically highlight individuals of the same species striving against one another for resources. Therefore, the competition for territory among male lions is a clear instance of intraspecific competition.