NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
What is ‘competitive release’?
Options
- AA species becoming more aggressive in competition
- BA species expanding its distribution range after the removal of a competitor
- CA decrease in distribution of a species due to increased competition
- DAn increase in competition among species due to resource abundance
Correct answer
B. A species expanding its distribution range after the removal of a competitor
Step-by-step solution
The Abingdon tortoise in Galapagos Islands became extinct within a decade after goats were introduced on the island, apparently due to the greater browsing efficiency of the goats. Another evidence for the occurrence of competition in nature comes from what is called ‘competitive release’. A species whose distribution is restricted to a small geographical area because of the presence of a competitively superior species, is found to expand its distributional range dramatically when the competing species is experimen