Various types of aphids feed on the leaves of cottonwood trees.The larger aphids defend feeding sites on the most preferred leaves by kicking or shoving smaller aphids off the leaves.This is an example of

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This scenario describes interference competition, which involves one species actively interfering with another species' access to resources. In this case, the larger aphids are actively preventing smaller aphids from accessing feeding sites on preferred leaves. Choice A (competitive exclusion) refers to one species completely outcompeting another and driving it to extinction, which is not necessarily happening in this scenario. Choice B (exploitation competition) involves two species exploiting the same resource in different ways, which is not really the case here either. Choice D (indirect competition) refers to competition that occurs through some other pathway, such as resource-mediated competition, whereas the competition in this scenario is direct. Choice E (asymmetrical competition) refers to competition in which the competitors are not equally harmed, which is not really relevant to the scenario described.

Various Types of Aphids Feed on the Leaves of Cottonwood