Human-caused introduction on Dominica island has brought two ecologically similar species of anole lizards into sympatry. Anolis oculatus is native to this island, and in 1998, humans unintentionally introduced A. cristatellus, a native of Puerto Rico. The introduced A. cristatellus is ecologically and morphologically very similar to the native A. oculatus, which has led to intense competition between the species for perch height, a critical space resource for lizards.

Based on the above figure on average perch height for each species, what was the outcome of the competitive interaction between these species in sympatry? Allopatry refers to locations where these species do not co-occur on Dominica island, and sympatry refers to locations where they co-occur.

Question

Human-caused introduction on Dominica island has brought two ecologically similar species of anole lizards into sympatry. Anolis oculatus is native to this island, and in 1998, humans unintentionally introduced A.  cristatellus, a native of Puerto Rico. The introduced A. cristatellus is ecologically and morphologically very similar to the native A. oculatus, which has led to intense competition between the species for perch height, a critical space resource for lizards.

Based on the above figure on average perch height for each species, what was the outcome of the competitive interaction between these species in sympatry? Allopatry refers to locations where these species do not co-occur on Dominica island, and sympatry refers to locations where they co-occur.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question describes two ecologically similar lizard species living in sympatry on Dominica, where competition for perch height is intense, and then asks what the outcome of this competitive interaction is, based on the diagram of average perch height.
Option 1: antagonistic coevolution. While coevolution can occur between interacting species, antagonistic coevolution refers to reciprocal evolutionary changes driven by ongoing conflict (e.g., predators and prey or host-parasite dynamics). The prompt emphasizes a geographic context (sympatry vs allopatry) and a pattern of resource use change, not reciprocal evolutionary arms races. This makes this choice less appropriate for describing the observed outcome.
Option 2: convergent evolution. Convergent evolution describes unrelated lineages evolving similar traits due to similar selective pressures, often resulting in analogous features. In this case, the species are ecologically similar but are experiencing competition, and the focus is on divergence in resource use in sympatry, not the evolution of similar traits. Therefore convergence is not the best fit for explaining the outcome.
Option 3: ecological character displacement. This term captures the process where coexisting species evolve differences in traits (such as perch height) to reduce competition when they occur together (sympatry). The figure showing different average perch heights in sympatry versus allopatry matches this concept: the differentiation in perch height reduces overlap and competition, illustrating character displacement.
Option 4: mutualistic coevolution. Mutualistic coevolution involves reciprocal beneficial interactions between species (e.g., pollinator and plant), but the described scenario is competitive for a critical resource (perch height) leading to divergence, not mutual benefit. Thus mutualistic coevolution does not fit.
In summary, the most consistent explanation with competition for a shared resource leading to divergence in trait use in sympatry is ecological character displacement, as reflected by changes in perch height and reduced niche overlap between the two lizard species in co-occurrence zones.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Where species with overlapping niches compete, then can diversify through the process of _, resulting in niche diversification and co-existence (answer is two words)

On the Galapagos Islands, two species of finches display a character displacement when they occur as sympatric species. Which of the statements correctly interprets the species over time when they are found sympatrically?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler