Suppose that two species of hummingbirds have very similar tongue lengths in regions where only one of the two species occurs, but that one species has a shorter tongue and the other a longer tongue in regions where both species occur. This would most likely be an example of
A)seed-dispersal mutualism.
B)parasitism.
C)character displacement.
D)a predator/prey interaction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This situation is most likely an example of character displacement, which is a phenomenon where evolutionary pressures lead to differences in morphological traits between similar species that coexist in the same geographic region. In this case, the differences in tongue length between the two hummingbird species are likely the result of competition for resources (i.e. nectar), which has led to evolutionary divergence in tongue length in regions where both species coexist. In regions where only one species occurs, there may be less pressure for divergence in tongue length, leading to more similar tongue lengths between the two species.

Suppose That Two Species of Hummingbirds Have Very Similar Tongue