According to Gause, if two species are occupying same ecological niche and competing for common resources, then

Options

A. Both species will eliminate each other
B. Interior type will eliminate the superior type of species
C. Superior species will exclude the inferior type of species
D. Both species will remain unaffected

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Gause's Principle**: Gause's principle, also known as the competitive exclusion principle, states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist if their niches are identical. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the latter's extinction.

2. **Defining Ecological Niche**: An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, including all its interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. It encompasses the species' habitat, resource use, and its relationships with other organisms.

3. **Competition for Resources**: When two species occupy the same niche, they compete for limited resources such as food, water, and space. This competition can lead to one species being more successful than the other.

4. **Outcome of Competition**: According to Gause, if two species are competing for the same resources:
- The superior species (the one better adapted to the environment) will dominate and utilize resources more efficiently.
- The inferior species will struggle to survive due to lack of resources and may eventually be excluded from the niche.

5. **Implications of Overlapping Niches**: If two species have overlapping niches, it creates a competitive environment. The dominant species will suppress the inferior one, leading to the latter's decline or extinction in that specific habitat.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, according to Gause, if two species occupy the same ecological niche and compete for common resources, one species will ultimately eliminate the other, resulting in the extinction of the less competitive species.