Question

Two species of Drosophila have been competing in the lab for a long time. A researcher notes that over the course of time, the competition coefficients of these species (i.e., the effect of one species on another) have become smaller. What is the most likely explanation of this change?

a. Periodic disturbances
b. Allelopathy
c. Character displacement
d. Competitive exclusion

Answer 1

The most likely explanation for the smaller competition coefficients between two species of Drosophila over time is competitive exclusion. The competitive exclusion principle states that when two species with similar resource requirements compete for the same limited resources, one species will eventually outcompete and exclude the other species from the area. This can lead to the extinction of the excluded species.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely explanation for the smaller competition coefficients between two species of Drosophila over time is competitive exclusion.

The competitive exclusion principle states that when two species with similar resource requirements compete for the same limited resources, one species will eventually outcompete and exclude the other species from the area. This can lead to the extinction of the excluded species.

In this case, as the two Drosophila species have been competing for a long time, it is likely that one species has become better adapted to its environment and has outcompeted the other species, resulting in smaller competition coefficients.