Humans interact with various species every day without actually realizing it. In the field of ecology, these interactions can either be interspecific or intraspecific . Interactions between humans are known as intraspecific (within species) interactions. For example, interactions between a human and a pet would be interspecific, whereas interactions between a human and another human would be intraspecific.
Research interspecific and intraspecific interactions using the module readings, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.
This assignment has two parts. Complete both parts.
Complete the following:
- Track your interactions with other organisms-between and within species-for one day.
- Summarize your interactions throughout the day, using the terms from this module's readings. If required, review the module's readings again.
- At a minimum, identify ten interactions that you witnessed or participated in today. Among those interactions, you should be able to identify a predatory-prey relationship, a competitive relationship, and a mutualism. You could also identify parasitic relationships or commensalisms, if you choose. Although you can repeat interaction types-for instance, you can have multiple mutualisms-the examples must differ. These are some examples:
- Did you have a predatory-prey relationship with a chicken today? That is, did you eat chicken for lunch?
- Did you have a competitive relationship with a coworker today? That is, were you competing for a raise?