Barnacles (hard-shelled marine invertebrates) live on rocks in the intertidal zone.Two species in an experiment, Semibalanus balanoides and Chthamalus stellatus, were able to coexist.S.balanoides grew rapidly and crushed the slower-growing C.stellatus.However, C.stellatus tolerated dry conditions.These species therefore existed in two distinct high and low bands in the intertidal zone, with C.stellatus living in the drier area above S.balanoides.These results suggest the two barnacle species coexist because of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The two species of barnacles have distinct realized niches, with S. balanoides occupying the lower, wetter area and growing rapidly, while C. stellatus tolerates dry conditions and exists in the drier area above S. balanoides. This allows the two species to coexist without directly competing with each other.

Barnacles (Hard-Shelled Marine Invertebrates) Live on Rocks in the Intertidal