Two species of protozoa are competing in a laboratory environment.A third species is introduced, with no other changes made to the experimental conditions.The population size of the third species gradually decreases for several days, and then it eventually goes extinct.What is the most likely reason this species went extinct?
A) It reached its carrying capacity.
B) It found the new environment toxic.
C) Introduced species always inevitably go extinct.
D) It could not compete with the two original species.
E) It overshot its carrying capacity and crashed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely reason for the extinction of the third species is that it could not compete with the two original species. In a competitive environment, species with weaker competitive abilities are more likely to go extinct. This could be due to a variety of factors such as resource availability, predation, or niche overlap.

Two Species of Protozoa Are Competing in a Laboratory Environment