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Question #45207
The Question
When the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is illegally introduced into a river ecosystem, it causes a rapid decline in the population of native catfishes. According to the principles of population ecology, which of the following statements regarding this invasion is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The alien species induces severe niche overlap, forcing native catfishes into sub-optimal resource utilization.
- B.
The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of the native catfish declines as its Darwinian fitness is compromised.
- C.
Gause's competitive exclusion principle dictates that the native species will eventually evolve resource partitioning to achieve stable co-existence.
- D.
The introduced species exhibits explosive population growth partly due to the absence of its natural predators in the new geographical area.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Insulin_Maturation|Growth Hormone|Phenotypic Plasticity
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students frequently confuse Gause's Competitive Exclusion Principle with MacArthur's Resource Partitioning.
The trap relies on the misconception that intense competition naturally resolves into stable co-existence via partitioning under Gause's law, whereas Gause specifically predicts local extinction (elimination) of the inferior species when niches overlap significantly.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Allen’s Rule and Surface-to-Volume Ratio |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |