In the Heller & Gates study on chipmunks in the Sierra Nevadas, when the least chipmunk was removed from its sagebrush habitat, the yellow-pine chipmunk did not experience competitive release. This is because the yellow-pine chipmunk had a ________ fundamental niche that ________ the sagebrush habitat.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The yellow-pine chipmunk had a restricted fundamental niche that excluded the sagebrush habitat. This means that even in the absence of the least chipmunk, the yellow-pine chipmunk did not expand its range to include that habitat, as the niche was already limited to other resources. This makes choice D the best answer, as it describes a restricted niche that excludes certain habitats.

In the Heller & Gates Study on Chipmunks in the Sierra