Territory is defended against

Options

A. Predator
B. Any intruder
C. Intruder of another species
D. Intruder of the same species

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Territory**:
- Territory refers to a specific area that an organism defends against others. This area is crucial for the organism's survival as it provides resources such as food, mating opportunities, and a safe environment for raising offspring.

2. **Identifying Potential Threats**:
- Organisms may face threats from various sources, including predators (enemies), intruders from other species, and intruders from the same species.

3. **Role of Predators**:
- Predators are organisms that hunt and consume other organisms. While they pose a threat to the survival of the organism, they do not typically invade the territory in the same way that members of the same species might. Therefore, territory is not primarily defended against predators.

4. **Intruders from Other Species**:
- Intruders from different species may enter an organism's territory, but the need to defend against them is not as critical as defending against members of the same species. This is because interactions with other species are often based on food chains and ecological relationships rather than direct competition for territory.

5. **Intruders of the Same Species**:
- The most significant threat to an organism's territory comes from intruders of the same species. When another individual of the same species enters an established territory, it can compete for resources, mates, and space. This competition is crucial for reproductive success, making it essential for the resident organism to defend its territory against these intruders.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Territory is defended against" is "intruders of the same species." This is because these intruders pose a direct threat to the resources and reproductive opportunities that the territory provides.

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