Intraspecific relationships in a biotic community refer to interactions between
the individuals of the same species. Factors which affect intraspecific
relationships include:
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Reproduction
Competition
Parental care
Social and communal
Assistance
Rate of reproduction and ability to survive depend upon the biotic potential of
the members of a particular species, which is further limited by carrying capacity
of the environment. Environmental resistance may include intrinsic as well as
extrinsic factors. High biotic potential leads to overproduction which further
leads to more and more competition for food, space or mate. Stronger
individuals will get more food, more space and better mate. Food and space
scarcity may lead to migration of weaker individuals to new territories. There
can also be the cases of cannibalism in extreme situations when migration is not
possible. Competition for food may lead to extreme territorial behavior.
Intraspecific competition for mate leads to fights between males in many
animals or between females as in antelopes. Male Terns chase other males and
wait for courting the females with gifts in their mouths.
Further, parental care is very important for the survival of individuals of any
species. Many Invertebrates and vertebrates show different methods of
parental care. Males of many species like Giant water bug are involved in
parental care. Animals also show social and communal relationship. Some
animals like to live solitary life while others live in herds. Animals in a herd
cooperate in sexual and parental behavior, and engage in aggression over
territory. Complex societies show division of labor, cooperation, altruism and
different types of courtship behaviors.
Some animals like Mongoose and Elephant show assistance to elderly, sick or
injured members of their species. Walruses adopt orphans who have lost their
parents to predators. Herding has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage
is that predator hesitates to attack a large herd while disadvantage is that large
herd is easily spotted by predators.
Another type of behavior shown by organisms is altruism which increases the
fitness of another individual at the cost of the actor for example, Meerkats, Male
baboons, Vervet monkeys and some termites shoe altruism for the safety of
their fellows at the cost of their own lives.
To summarize, some form of communication in the form of intraspecific
relations is mandatory to maintain social structure of the population of a
particular species in the biotic community.