Question

Paramecium caudatum and Paramecium aurelia, were growing in separate culture media in a laboratory. When both species were transferred to the same culture medium for growth, it was observed that Paramecium caudatum got eliminated from the habitat after some time.

Identify and explain the type of ecological interaction between the aforementioned species of Paramecia on the basis of Gause’s principle.

Answer 1

Competitive Exclusion (Interspecific Competition)

According to Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle, two species that are very similar and compete for the same limited resources cannot survive together in the same habitat for long. The stronger competitor, P. aurelia, eventually outcompetes and drives the weaker species, P. caudatum, to extinction in that environment.