Understanding Antibiosis: The Negative Impact of Species Interactions

Antibiosis refers to a situation where two different species have a negative impact on each other's survival and reproduction. This can occur through direct competition for resources, predation, or other means. Antibiosis is the opposite of mutualism, where both species benefit from each other's presence.

For example, some plants have developed chemical defenses against herbivores, which can be toxic to other animals that ingest them. In this case, the plant and the herbivore are in an antibiosis relationship, as the plant's defense mechanism harms the herbivore, while the herbivore's feeding activity can damage the plant.

Antibiosis is an important concept in ecology and evolutionary biology, as it helps us understand the complex interactions between different species in an ecosystem. It can also have practical applications in fields such as agriculture, conservation, and medicine.