Intraspecific relationships

Intraspecific relationships

Interactions between members of the same species

Intraspecific competition

The struggle for resources between members of the same species, more intense than interspecific as same niche

• a driving force for behind natural selection and evolution as individuals with alleles that make them more competitive are more likely to survive and pass on those alleles

Territory

The area an animal will defend (maybe just during breeding season)

Home range

The area an animal will search for food, mates, and breeding sites

Agnostic behaviour

Any social behaviour related to fighting; it includes not only actual aggression but also threats, displays, retreats, placating aggressors, and conciliation

Group

When members of a species gather together, remain together and response to one another’s presence

Linear hierarchy

When a group has a rank order from the most dominant animal (alpha) to the most submissive

Despotic hierarchy

When one member of a group (and maybe their mate) is dominant

Altruism

Helping less advantaged members of the group (a.k.a. kin selection)

Synchrony

When egg and sperm are released into surroundings (usually water) for external fertilisation

Courtship

Heterosexual reproductive communication system leading to the consummatory sexual act

Sexual selection

When some individuals possess certain conspicuous physical traits to get a mate

Sexual dimorphism

The differences in appearance between males and females of the same species

Monogamy

When a female only mates with a single male (a.k.a. Pair Bond)

Polygamy

When an animal has more than one mate during a breeding season

Polygyny

When a male mates with two or more different females

Polyandry

When a female mates with two or more different males

Lek

A gathering of males to show off their genes without any material benefits to a female

R-strategist

No parental care to many offspring

K-strategist

Prolonged parental care to only a few offspring