What ecological principle, formulated by Russian biologist G.F. Gause in 1934, states that two species competing for the exact same limiting resource cannot stably coexist if other ecological factors remain constant?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Competitive exclusion principle (Gause's Law)

  1. Step 1: Gause demonstrated this principle empirically in laboratory cultures using two closely related species of Paramecium (P. aurelia and P. caudatum) competing for food.
  2. Step 2: The competitive exclusion principle establishes that if two species occupy the identical ecological niche, the slightly more efficient competitor will inevitably outcompete and eliminate the other, unless resource partitioning evolves.
Answer
Competitive exclusion principle (Gause's Law)
Why not the others: 'Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium' The Hardy-Weinberg law states that allele frequencies remain constant in large, randomly mating populations in the absence of evolutionary forces; 'Bergmann's rule' Bergmann's rule states that within a broadly distributed taxonomic clade, populations of larger body size are found in colder climates; 'Allen's rule' Allen's rule states that endothermic animals from colder climates have shorter limbs, ears, and appendages to minimize heat loss.

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