Question

A high density of elephant population in one area can result in
A) Predation on one another
B) Mutualism
C) Intraspecific competition
D) Interspecific competition

Answer 1

Hint: Population densities have an immediate effect on the ecosystem as well as the species in consideration. Too low or too high a population density is detrimental to survival.

Complete Answer:
A) Elephants are herbivores that eat plants. They generally strip trees of leaves and small twigs and these are the main diet of the pachyderms. Though they may fight and hurt each other fatally, elephants will not kill and eat each other. Option A is not correct.

B) Mutualism is a form of symbiosis in which the activities of both species involved help each other survive. In this instance, though within a herd elephants do look out for each other especially females with babies. In this instance it is a question finding sufficient food. Option B is incorrect.

C) The high density of elephants in an area will immediately put a stress on the available food. Male elephants in particular would be marking out territories and pushing other males out in a fight for food and mates. Intraspecific competition is the result. Option C is the correct answer.

D) Even though a high density of elephants would reduce the amount of available food for other herbivores, there is usefully enough variation in the kind of food eaten for other species to survive. Though indirectly they may have to move out to other areas. Option D is not the correct answer.

Hence the correct answer is option C.

Note: Intraspecific completion may often result in a large number of fatalities or many members being driven away, but the battle to survive can also result in stronger individuals mating and improving the gene pool.