Question

47 multiple choice 1 point which of the following best describes character displacement as an evolutionary outcome of competition? closely related species evolve differences in traits (such as beak size) that reduce niche overlap natural selection eliminates all variability in a population’s traits an invasive species replaces native species by completely excluding them from the ecosystem two species develop identical adaptations to exploit the same resource

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• First option: Character displacement occurs when closely related species (competing for resources) evolve trait differences (like beak size) to reduce niche overlap, matching the definition.
• Second option: Natural selection reducing all variability is not character displacement (it's more about stabilizing selection, not displacement).
• Third option: Invasive species excluding natives is competitive exclusion, not character displacement.
• Fourth option: Developing identical adaptations for the same resource would increase niche overlap, opposite of character displacement.

Answer:

Closely related species evolve differences in traits (such as beak size) that reduce niche overlap