Question

Gause's competitive exclusion principle states that:

• A. Two unrelated genus competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and competitively superior one will get eliminated eventually
• B. Two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and competitively inferior one will get eliminated eventually
• C. Two unrelated species competing for the same resources can co-exist indefinitely and can grow together
• D. Two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely but can grow together

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The competitive exclusion principle or called as Gause's law states that "two species that compete for the exact same resources cannot stably coexist." As per the law, one of the two competitors will lead to extinction of the other by having a slight advantage. This can also lead to evolution of distinguishing characteristics in areas where they co-exist.