Competition (Encyclopedia of Science and Religion)

An important component of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution, competition describes the theory that there is a struggle among organisms both of the same species (intraspecific) and between species (interspecific) for food, space, reproduction, and other requirements for existence. Through natural selection organisms develop adaptations to overcome or resist their own destruction in competition with the counter-adaptations developed by other organisms. These adaptations include physiological, chemical, and psychological traits. For example, organisms may evolve to become larger, more poisonous, or more aggressive. Such adaptations are not developed on the short timescale of individual lifetime but on the long evolutionary timescale of the species.

See also ADAPTATION; AGGRESSION; EVOLUTION; NEO-DARWINISM

ARN O. GYLDENHOLM