Which would be the best way to directly test the hypothesis that C. stellatus a species of barnacle) is competitively excluded from the lower intertidal zone by B. balanoides another species of barnacle)?
A) Place individuals of each species in a jar and see which species survives.
B) Clear rocks in an entire area and document recolonization events.
C) Transplant B. balanoides to the upper intertidal zone.
D) Remove all C. stellatus from the upper tidal zone.
E) Remove all B. balanoides from the lower intertidal zone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Removing all B. balanoides from the lower intertidal zone directly tests the hypothesis by observing if C. stellatus can occupy the zone in the absence of B. balanoides, indicating competitive exclusion.

Which Would Be the Best Way to Directly Test the Hypothesis