a) Was the type of competition between the barnacles described in Dr. J.H. Connell’s study the exploitative or the interference type? Explain your answer.
b) How did Connell show that the realized niche of the barnacle, semibalanus, was the same as its fundamental niche?
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Posted on August 31, 2011.
a) Was the type of competition between the barnacles described in Dr. J.H. Connell’s study the exploitative or the interference type? Explain your answer.
Connell observed that when juvenile Chthamalus attached in the lower zone dominated by Balanus they did not survive long. The Balanus growth period of most rapid size increase simply outstripped the Chthamalus so the Balanus smothered or crushed the slower growing Chthamalus.
b) How did Connell show that the realized niche of the barnacle, semibalanus, was the same as its fundamental niche?
Connell cleared the upper tidal reach of Cthamalus so only Balanus could attach. However they failed to attach and survive. They could not tolerate the longer periods of exposure to dry air. In this way Connell demonstrated that even when competition was removed they stayed within the niche they held when under competitive pressure. They occupied as much of their niche space as they had adapted to fit.