Asked by Colin Hilgendorf on Jun 13, 2024
Verified
In an Asian rice paddy, carp eat algae around the base of rice plants while a snail scrapes algae from the leaves and stem. The carp and snails can coexist in the same rice paddy because they
A) occupy the same habitat but use the resources differently.
B) occupy the same habitat and use the same resources.
C) use the same resources but occupy different habitats.
D) occupy different habitats and use the resources differently.
E) work according to the competitive exclusion principle.
Resource Partitioning
Mechanism that increases the number of niches by apportioning the supply of a resource such as food or living space between species.
Asian Rice Paddy
Waterlogged fields where rice is grown, typically found in Asian countries, integral for rice cultivation.
- Show an understanding of niche theory, involving the concepts of ecological niches, competitive exclusion, and resource partitioning.
Verified Answer
MR
Marrisa RudderJun 17, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
The carp and snails are occupying the same habitat, the rice paddy, but they are utilizing different resources, with the carp eating algae around the base of the rice plant, and the snail scraping algae from the leaves and stem. This demonstrates niche differentiation, allowing both species to coexist in the same space.
Learning Objectives
- Show an understanding of niche theory, involving the concepts of ecological niches, competitive exclusion, and resource partitioning.