Interspecific Relationships (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what interspecific relationships are, what their main characteristics are and examples of these relationships.

Interspecific relationships - cat and mouse — Interspecific relationships occur between different species of the same ecosystem.

What are interspecific relationships?

The different types of interaction that occur are called interspecific relationships. usually take place between two or more individuals of different species. These types of relationships occur within the framework of a specific ecosystem and generally have to do with the satisfaction of the nutritional or other needs of at least one of the individuals involved.

As its name indicates, this type of relationship occur between subjects of different species but the same ecosystem that is, they share habitat. In this they differ from the relations intraspecificwhich occur between individuals of the same species.

Interspecific relationships can occur between individuals of very different nature, even belonging to different kingdoms of life, such as plants and animals, for example. And its classification will depend on the nature of the link established between the two species: if it is beneficial for both, for only one, or if it causes harm to one of them.

Commensalism

Interspecific relationships - clownfish — Clownfish live among sea anemones to be safe from predators.

This type of relationships are beneficial for one of the two individuals involved (called diner), without said benefit causing any type of damage or discomfort to the other organism. This is well explained in the name of the term, which comes from Latin cum mensathat is, “sharing the table.”

An example of commensalism It is noticeable among lions and hyenas or other scavenger species in Africa: The latter wait for the former to finish feeding on the hunt, and then take advantage of the abandoned remains of the prey. Another example is that of the clownfish that lives among sea anemones, staying safe from predators thanks to the toxic effect of their tentacles, and without causing any damage to the anemone.

Mutualism

Unlike commensalism, in the case of mutualism the association between the two species is mutually beneficial being useful to both diners. This often involves some degree of tolerance or explicit cooperation between them.

Good examples of mutualism are: the feeding of fleas and ticks by birds that climb on the backs of furry animals such as cows, horses or oxen, relieving them of this pest in exchange for a constant source of food. Another good example is the respectful relationship that exists between a certain type of bulky fish and a species of small crustaceans which enter your open mouth to feed on the remains of food between your teeth, cleaning them and receiving free food in return.

Symbiosis

It is about a very close degree of cooperation between species so much so that both lead a life together in intimate association, to the point of often being indistinguishable from each other. This cooperation generally presents benefits for both (or at least one) of the species.

An example of a symbiotic relationship is the one that occurs between a fungus and an alga to form what we commonly call lichens: The fungus provides structure and keeps the algae moist and nourished, which in turn synthesizes carbohydrates that feed it.

Predation

Predation is a type of interspecific relationship that causes harm (death) to one of the two species involved since the other feeds on it, destroying and consuming its tissues. The consuming species is called predator either predatorand the consumed one is known as prey.

There are large and ferocious predators in nature, like lions, snakes or praying mantises each one in its respective ecosystem. They feed on gazelles, mice or insects, respectively, hunting them and consuming their meat.

Parasitism

Parasites - interspecific relationships — Parasitic species can infect the intestines of humans and other animals.

This interspecific relationship also causes harm to one of the two members involved, while benefiting the other. It is similar in that sense to predation, only that the damage is not massive and immediate, but slower and prolonged over time, to the extent that the parasitic species consumes fluids or tissues of the parasitized one, which suffers the consequences.

Thus, we can cite as examples of this: all species of protozoa, nematodes and bacteria that can infect the intestines of humans and other similar animals (endoparasites, inside the body), causing diarrhea, inability to assimilate nutrients and other symptoms of disease, while they reproduce and feed inside their body. An example is ectoparasites (outside the body) such as fleas, lice or ticks, which adhere to the skin and suck the blood of parasitized beings.

Competence

Interspecific relationships - competition — Competition occurs when animals compete for territory.

The competition occurs when two species benefit from the same niche feeding on its resources or obtaining some type of well-being, but they cannot do so at the same time or peacefully, so they must fight for access to the resource and somehow dissuade the other species from seeking some other source of food. food.

This is what happens, for example, when animals compete for territory trying to control the available resources of their own and monopolize space, available prey, sunlight, etc. This is the case of two plants facing a limited amount of sunlight, or two species of jungle felines fighting to establish a hunting reserve that the others do not enter.