Question

In his experiments with different competing pairs of Paramecium species, Gause found that sometimes both species persisted and sometimes only one species did. Which hypothesis did Gause propose in order to explain the cases in which both species persisted?

1) One species was a much better competitor than the other.
2) Periodic disturbance allowed for coexistence.
3) The two species tended to use different resources.
4) The two species exhibited only interference competition, not exploitative competition.

Answer 1

Gause proposed that Paramecium species coexisted due to utilizing different resources, which is consistent with the competitive exclusion principle.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gause's experiments with Paramecium species demonstrated patterns of coexistence and competitive exclusion. When both Paramecium species persisted, Gause proposed that this was because they tended to use different resources. This explanation aligns with the competitive exclusion principle, which states that two species cannot occupy the same niche without one species outcompeting the other. If the species can coexist, they likely do so by utilizing different aspects of their habitat, thereby reducing direct competition for resources.