What is the competition called when organisms of the same species compete against each other?

The correct answer is intraspecific competition, which refers specifically to competition among individuals of the same species for limited resources such as food, space, or mates. This type of competition is significant because it can drive natural selection, influencing traits within the population. When members of the same species compete, it can affect their growth, reproduction rates, and survival, ultimately shaping the dynamics of the population.

Intraspecific competition contrasts with interspecific competition, where organisms of different species compete for the same resources. Population competition and community competition are not standard terms used in ecological studies to describe competition within or between species, which further reinforces why intraspecific competition is the correct identification of the competition occurring within a single species.