What is indicated by "conflict" in evolutionary fitness?

The concept of "conflict" in evolutionary fitness suggests that different individuals, often within the same species or ecosystem, may have divergent interests and strategies regarding survival and reproduction. This can occur due to competition for limited resources, mates, or territory, where the actions beneficial for one individual can be detrimental to another.

When individuals have different fitness interests, it can lead to a struggle where one group's success may hinge on the failure of another. For example, in a population where some individuals have traits that enhance their ability to acquire resources more effectively, they may outcompete those with less advantageous traits. This conflict manifests in behaviors that might be aggressive or selfish rather than cooperative.

Understanding this dynamic is crucial because it helps explain the evolution of various strategies, traits, and behaviors through natural selection, where those individuals better adapted to their environment or competitive pressures leave more offspring. Thus, the idea of conflict is integral to grasping the complexities of evolutionary fitness and the ongoing interactions among individuals within a population.