Question

Kangaroo rats are endemic to the deserts of the American southwest. In one region, two kangaroo rat species eat only seeds and are biologically extremely similar. The two species are found in adjacent habitats. Seeds are abundant in both habitats, but less nutritious than insects. If you were to double the amount of seeds across both habitats and add insects as potential food, which of the following outcomes would most likely result?
a. One species will change its food preferences to eat insects and the two species will coexist across both habitats.
b. Because of the abundance and diversity of food available, both species will coexist across both habitats.
c. Both species will switch their diets to the more nutritious insects and one will exclude the other from both habitats.
d. No change will occur, the abundance and diversity of resources does not determine the ultimate outcome of competition if niches remain the same.

Answer 1

Answer:

b. Because of the abundance and diversity of food available, both species will coexist across both habitats.