Text 1 Ecological theory has long relied on the "principle of competitive exclusion," which states that two species competing for the exact same resources cannot stably coexist. According to this model, if two types of birds hunt the same insects in the same tree, the more efficient hunter will inevitably drive the other to extinction. Thus, biodiversity in a single micro-habitat is theoretically limited by the availability of distinct niches.
Text 2 Field biologist Dr. Yumi Sato challenges the rigidity of competitive exclusion. Her research on canopy beetles shows that multiple species with seemingly identical diets coexist for millennia. Sato argues that the theory overlooks "temporal partitioning"—one species feeds in the morning, the other at night. Furthermore, subtle variations in resource use, often undetectable in broad models, allow for a density of overlapping species that standard theory deems impossible.
Based on the texts, how would Dr. Sato (Text 2) most likely respond to the "principle of competitive exclusion" discussed in Text 1?
By stating that the principle is only applicable to marine environments, not terrestrial ones like trees
By arguing that it implies a level of direct competition that often does not exist due to subtle behavioral differences between species
By agreeing with the principle’s logic but noting that extinction takes much longer than the model predicts
By suggesting that the principle fails to account for the fact that some species prefer to migrate rather than compete
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. Text 1 defines the "principle of competitive exclusion" as the idea that species with the same niche cannot coexist. Text 2 argues that this view is too rigid and overlooks "subtle variations" and "temporal partitioning" (behavioral differences) that allow species to coexist. Thus, Sato would argue that the direct competition assumed by the model doesn't exist in reality due to these nuances.
Choice A is incorrect because Text 2 discusses beetles (terrestrial), not marine environments. Choice C is incorrect because Sato is arguing for coexistence, not about the speed of extinction. Choice D is incorrect because migration is not the mechanism discussed; resource partitioning is.