Species Interactions

In this section, you will learn about the different types of interactions that occur between species and how those interactions shape ecological communities. Species interactions can have major impacts on evolution and the distribution of populations.

Chapter 45.6 of Biology from OpenStax offers an overview on predation, herbivory, competitive exclusion principle, symbiosis, characteristics of communities, and community dynamics. Species Interactions and Competition from Nature Scitable provides additional background information on competition, predation, and herbivory. Direct and Indirect Interactions from Nature Scitable defines key terms relating to a variety of interactions between species.

In nature, many of these interactions can be observed in primate communities, parasitism in crickets, dogs, humans, and cats, non consumptive effects in tide pools, and symbiosis between nutcracker birds and whitebark trees as well as cooperation between the moray eel and grouper in the coral reefs. To reinforce what you've learned in this section, watch this video for more species interaction examples.

Background Reading

Chapter 45.6 of Biology from OpenStax
Species Interactions and Competition from Nature Scitable
Direct and Indirect Interactions from Nature Scitable

Lecture Slides

6. Species Interactions _ combined_student

Articles and Videos

www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/primates-in-communities-the-ecology-of-competitive-59119961

Snake Imitators PersistA harmless snake in the Carolina Sandhills has been mimicking a poisonous species for decades, and has become a better imitator since the latter went extinct.