This was a problem on the exam
There is species A and species B. They both feed on nectar. Species A feeds only during the day and Species B feeds only during the night. There is competition between A and B as their niche overlaps slightly. Both A and B can feed during day AND night if there was no competition.
There is a graph with the x axis being Time (from day to night) and Y axis being number of Nectar visits (or nectar use).
Species A has a much higher level of nectar visits than Species B and their niches overlap slightly.
Would this be an example of niche differentiation or competitive exclusion?
I first thought niche differentiation because A and B are using the nectar at different times to avoid competition, but at the same time, the niche of A and B overlaps slightly and species A has greater nectar use than species B. This would be a form of asymmetric competition and competitive exclusion would sound more likely. But then again, if both species A and B can use the nectar during BOTH day and night but are only excluded to using day or night to reduce competition, it sounds more like niche differentiation . WHICH ONE IS IT? Help someone? choosing best answer
here is a link to the graph I drew:
http://oi49.tinypic.com/162r6d.jpg