Question

in the hypothesis that chthamalus stellatus (a species of barnacle found in hide tide) is competitively excluded from the lower intertidal zone by balanus balanoides (another species of barnacle), what could be concluded about the two species?

Answer 1

Competitive exclusion of Chthamalus stellatus by Balanus balanoides in the lower intertidal zone suggests that B. balanoides has a competitive advantage, aligning with the competitive exclusion principle which posits that two species cannot coexist if they compete for the same resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Chthamalus stellatus is competitively excluded from the lower intertidal zone by Balanus balanoides, it can be concluded that B. balanoides is more competitive in that environment, potentially due to better adaptations for the conditions present there, such as the ability to withstand exposure to waves, predation, or the ability to better utilize the available resources. This outcome is in line with the competitive exclusion principle, which states that two species competing for the same limiting resources cannot coexist at constant population values; if one species has even the slightest advantage over another, the one with the advantage will dominate in the long term.

The intertidal zone is an area that experiences drastic environmental fluctuations, such as changes in moisture, temperature, and salinity. Organisms here must be highly adapted to these conditions. If one species is excluded by another, it may suggest that the successful species is better suited to these particular stresses, or it may indicate other interactions such as predation or differences in reproductive strategies.