Asked by Valeria Ordoñez on May 01, 2024
Verified
Several species of grain beetles can live on dry meal, obtaining water from their metabolic reactions. Many of these beetle species are grain pests that do considerable damage to stored grain. You set up an experiment with a dozen jars of dry meal. In each jar you introduce 50 individuals from each of two species. The food supply is sufficient to last for a year, and the size of the jar is adequate to prevent toxic waste buildup. In 6 months, when you reexamine the jars, you will most likely find
A) a totally random number of organisms from both beetle species.
B) only one species per jar, similar to the classic competitive exclusion principle experiment with paramecia.
C) the same ratio of beetles as when you started, about half from each species.
D) only dead beetles in all jars due to intense competition.
E) a new species of hybrid beetles in each of the jars.
Competitive Exclusion
A principle stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values if other ecological factors remain constant.
Grain Beetles
A group of beetles known for infesting and feeding on stored grains and cereals.
- Exhibit understanding of niche theory, encompassing the ideas of ecological niches, competitive exclusion, and resource partitioning.
Verified Answer
ZK
Zybrea KnightMay 03, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
The competitive exclusion principle states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values if other ecological factors remain constant. In this scenario, one species is likely to outcompete the other in each jar, leading to the dominance of a single species per jar.
Learning Objectives
- Exhibit understanding of niche theory, encompassing the ideas of ecological niches, competitive exclusion, and resource partitioning.