Question

Identify and explain the type of ecological interaction where Paramecium caudatum got eliminated when grown with Paramecium aurelia based on Gause’s principle.

Hint:

If two species can coexist while using the same resource, it's called "Resource Partitioning." Gause's principle only applies when resources are limited.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Gause's Principle describes the outcome of competition for finite resources.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The interaction is Competition.
According to Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle, two closely related species competing for the same limiting resources cannot co-exist indefinitely.
The competitively superior species (P. aurelia) will eventually eliminate the inferior one (P. caudatum).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Competitive exclusion due to niche overlap.