Question

'Competitive release' refers to

• A. Inability of two species to co-exist indefinitely and eventual elimination of the competitively inferior species
• B. Avoidance of competition between species competing for same resource by figuring a compromise
• C. Expansion of distribution of a species restricted to a small area due to a competitively superior species being experimentally eliminated
• D. Evolutionary success in devising a mechanism to counter and neutralize competition

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Sometimes a species is restricted to smaller area due to another species which is superior. If the superior species is removed, the competition of the inferior species decreases and they increases in number and covers a wider area. This is called competitive release.