After the introduction of the American mink into Belarus, the native European mink became larger, and the American mink gradually decreased in size. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this observation?
A) Antagonistic interactions
B) Interference competition
C) Character displacement
D) Guild formation
E) Batesian mimicry

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is a classic example of character displacement, where two similar species sharing the same ecological niche try to reduce competition by evolving different physical traits. In this case, the American mink and the European mink evolved different body sizes to reduce competition for food and resources, which led to the observed size differences over time.

After the Introduction of the American Mink into Belarus, the Native