Question

According to the competitive exclusion principle A. Resources exclude competitors. B. Intraspecific competitors exclude interspecific competitors. C. Two species can occupy the same realized niche. D. Two species cannot coexist on the same limiting resource. E. None of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: D. Two species cannot coexist on the same limiting resource.

Step-by-step explanation:

The competitive exclusion principle, was proposed by G.F. Gause hence also known as Gause's Rule on Competitive Exclusion or simply Gause's Rule which states that two organisms competing for exactly the same resources can not coexist stably.

For example, if a forest has high carnivorous animals, there will always be scarcity of food in that area. Owing to food shortages, there will be competition among the animals in order to survival problems. The strong ones will prevail over the weaker group and will thrive exclusively.

Hence, the correct option is D.