Carnivorous animals lions and leopards, occupy the same niche but lions predate mostly larger animals and leopards take smaller ones. This mechanism of competition is referred to as [2019]a)Character displacementb)Altruismc)Resource partitioningd)Competitive exclusion.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Carnivorous animals lions and leopards, occupy the same niche but lions predate mostly larger animals and leopards take smaller ones. This mechanism of competition is referred to as  [2019]a)Character displacementb)Altruismc)Resource partitioningd)Competitive exclusion.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Answer

Resource partitioning:

Resource partitioning is a mechanism of competition in which two or more species divide a limited resource in a way that allows them to coexist. In the given scenario, lions and leopards occupy the same niche but they have different feeding strategies. Lions predate mostly larger animals like zebras and buffalos, while leopards take smaller ones like impalas and gazelles. This is an example of resource partitioning as they are dividing the prey resource based on size.

Explanation of other options:

a) Character displacement: It is an evolutionary process in which competing species evolve physical or behavioral adaptations that allow them to use resources differently, reducing competition. This option is not correct as no evolution in physical or behavioral characteristics is mentioned in the scenario.

b) Altruism: It is a behavior in which an individual sacrifices its own benefit to help another individual. This option is not correct as there is no altruistic behavior mentioned in the scenario.

d) Competitive exclusion: It is a process in which one species outcompetes another species for the same resources, leading to the local extinction of the weaker species. This option is not correct as both lions and leopards coexist in the same habitat and are not driving each other to extinction.

Answer

Resource Partitioning

Resource partitioning is a mechanism of competition that occurs when different species occupying the same niche divide the resources available in the environment to avoid direct competition. In this way, each species uses a different set of resources or exploits them in a different way.

In the case of lions and leopards, they both occupy the same niche as carnivorous predators, but they have evolved different hunting strategies to avoid direct competition for prey. Lions mainly prey on larger animals such as zebras, buffalos, and wildebeests that require cooperative hunting efforts. On the other hand, leopards prey mostly on smaller animals such as antelopes, monkeys, and rodents, which they hunt alone.

By dividing the resources available in the environment, lions and leopards reduce the competition for food and increase their chances of survival. Resource partitioning is an important mechanism that allows different species to coexist in the same ecosystem, and it is particularly important in environments with high species diversity and limited resources.

Other examples of resource partitioning in nature include:

- Different species of finches on the Galapagos Islands that have evolved different beak shapes and sizes to feed on different types of seeds
- Different species of warblers that feed on insects in different parts of the same tree
- Different species of rodents that use different types of burrows and tunnels in the same habitat.

Answer

Resource Partitioning:

Resource partitioning is the mechanism of competition where two or more species divide their resources based on their ecological niche. This process allows the coexistence of these species in the same habitat. The species that occupy the same niche have to compete for resources like food, shelter, and mating opportunities.

Example:

Lions and leopards are two carnivorous animals that occupy the same ecological niche. They both hunt for prey, and their diet consists of meat. However, lions are known to hunt larger animals like zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes, whereas leopards prey on smaller animals like rabbits, birds, and monkeys. This difference in prey preference is an example of resource partitioning.

Explanation:

Resource partitioning is a strategy used by species to reduce competition for resources. The competition between lions and leopards is reduced by the difference in their prey preference. Lions and leopards can coexist in the same habitat because they hunt for different prey. This allows both species to access their resources without competing with each other.

Resource partitioning can occur in different ways. Some examples of resource partitioning are:

1. Temporal Partitioning- Species use the same resources but at different times. For example, nocturnal and diurnal animals use the same habitat but are active at different times.

2. Spatial Partitioning- Species use different parts of the habitat. For example, birds that feed on insects in the canopy of trees and birds that feed on insects on the ground.

3. Trophic Partitioning- Species consume different types of food. For example, herbivores that feed on grass and herbivores that feed on shrubs.

Conclusion:

Resource partitioning is an important mechanism of competition that allows the coexistence of species that occupy the same ecological niche. In the case of lions and leopards, they have partitioned their resources by hunting different prey. This allows them to coexist in the same habitat without competing for resources.

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