Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Species facing intense competition might evolve mechanisms that promote co-existence rather than competitive exclusion. Reason (R): Competing species can avoid competition by choosing different feeding times or distinct foraging patterns, a mechanism known as resource partitioning. In the light of

Step-by-step solution

Assertion is correct. According to Gause's competitive exclusion principle, two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely. However, more recent studies point out that species facing competition might evolve mechanisms that promote co-existence rather than exclusion. Reason is correct and explains the Assertion. One such mechanism is 'resource partitioning'. If two species compete for the same resource, they could avoid competition by choosing different times for feeding o