What is the term used to describe the process shown in the panels in the accompanying figure, assuming Time 2 follows Time 1?
A) competition
B) species interaction
C) niche differentiation
D) niche realization

Question

What is the term used to describe the process shown in the panels in the accompanying figure, assuming Time 2 follows Time 1?
A) competition 
B) species interaction 
C) niche differentiation 
D) niche realization

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process shown in the panels is called niche differentiation, which refers to the evolutionary process by which species adapt to use different resources or occupy distinct ecological niches. In this case, the two species are initially using overlapping resources, but over time they evolve to use different resources, resulting in the partitioning of the niche.

What Is the Term Used to Describe the Process Shown