In laboratory experiments, two species of the protist Paramecium (species 1 and 2) were grown alond and in the presence of the other species. The following graphs show growth of species 1 and species 2, both alone and when in mixed culture with the other species.
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the graphs ?

Options

A. Competitive exclusion occurred in these experiments.
B. Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 1 is affected less.
C. Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is affected less.
D. Both species are affected equally by interspecific competition.

Answer

C

Explanation

When species 1 was ket with species 2, its number of individuals fell drastrically while when species 2 was kept with species 1, its number of individuals was not much affected. Hence, both species are affected by inter-specific competition but species 2 is less affected.