Final answer:
In the scenario where two species compete for a limited resource, the species that uses the resource more efficiently will likely survive, while the less efficient one may go extinct or migrate. This outcome is explained by the competitive exclusion principle and evolution's role in interspecific competition.Option 2 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
If two species occupy very similar niches and are forced to coexist, sharing a limited resource, a likely outcome is that the species that uses the resources more efficiently will survive, while the less efficient competitor may go extinct or be forced to migrate to another region. This outcome is well represented by the concept of interspecific competition and the competitive exclusion principle, which suggests that two different species competing for the exact same resources cannot coexist in the same habitat over the long term.
Evolution may lead to the specialization of species when they adapt to utilize different resources within the same environment, thereby reducing direct competition. However, if neither species is able to evolve to reduce competition quickly enough, the more-efficiently-adapted species will generally outcompete the other, potentially driving it to extinction.
An example of this principle can be observed with species like Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum. When placed together, P. aurelia outcompetes P. caudatum for food, leading to the extinction of the less competitive species. This demonstrates that evolutionary fitness and adaptability play crucial roles in the survival of species during interspecific competition.