Which of the following is correct about interspecific interactions?

The correct answer is Option (1) → Interactions between populations of two different species

A population is a group of individuals of one species in an area. Interactions within one species are intraspecific. Interactions between populations of two different species are interspecific. They can help, harm or not affect each species, which gives the interactions such as mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism, commensalism and amensalism.

Option (1) Interactions between populations of two different species — Correct. “Inter” means between. Interspecific interactions arise when populations of two different species interact, for example a predator and its prey.

Option (2) Interactions between populations of the same species — Incorrect. Interactions between populations of the same species are intraspecific, not interspecific.

Option (3) Interactions between two individuals of the same species — Incorrect. Two individuals of the same species also give an intraspecific interaction. The word “interspecific” needs two different species.

Option (4) Interactions between two individuals from different areas — Incorrect. Coming from different areas does not make an interaction interspecific. What matters is whether the individuals belong to different species.

NCERT Extract:
Population Interactions – “… Even in minimal communities, many interactive linkages exist, although all may not be readily apparent. Interspecific interactions arise from the interaction of populations of two different species. They could be beneficial, detrimental or neutral (neither harm nor benefit) to one of the species or both.”