Species Interactions By Sarah Cameron

Species Competition Interspecific Competition: competition between members of different species Intraspecific Competition: competition between members of the same species

 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- 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- 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