One hundred thousand years ago a population of rodent species migrated into a new environment and experienced little competition for resources. Today, this species is still surviving in this environment, but competition from other species has decreased its choices for food and has limited the species to a smaller home range. When the species first migrated into this new environment it filled its _________________ niche, whereas, 100,000 years later it experienced its ____________ niche.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The species filled its fundamental niche when it first migrated into the new environment, as it had little competition and had access to all resources it needed. However, 100,000 years later, competition from other species has decreased its food choices and limited its home range, leading to the species experiencing its realized niche. Therefore, the best choice is B, where the first blank corresponds to fundamental and the second blank corresponds to realized.

One Hundred Thousand Years Ago a Population of Rodent Species