The tidal zones in which the barnacles Balanus and Cthalamus thrive when both species are present illustrate the principle of:

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The competitive exclusion principle states that two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist in the same place. In the case of the barnacles Balanus and Cthalamus, they both occupy the intertidal zone but each species is better adapted to a specific level of the zone. Balanus is better adapted to higher areas with more exposure to air while Cthalamus is better adapted to lower areas with more exposure to water. The coexistence of both species in their respective zones is an example of the competitive exclusion principle in action.

The Tidal Zones in Which the Barnacles Balanus and Cthalamus