Question

Connel's field experiment on the Rocky sea coast of Scotland, where larger barnacles (Balanus) dominate the intertidal area and remove the smaller barnacles (Chthamalus). This happens due to
A) predation
B)competition
C)parasitism
D) mutualism

Answer 1

Hint: In Connel's field experiment, larger barnacles (Balanus) and smaller barnacles (Chthamalus) show some type of relationship which is simply not enough for every individual to have equal access and supply. This type of relationship occurs between the organism of the same species or between members of different species.

Complete answer:
On the Rocky sea coast of Scotland, Connel's field experiment shows that the larger and the superior barnacles (Balanus) dominate the area which is intertidal and eliminates the smaller barnacles (Chthamalus) from that zone, Hence it shows competition exclusion.
-it is observed that the barnacles are concentrated in the lower intertidal area whereas Cathamalus concentrated in the upper intertidal area.
-Connell performs two experiments. In experiment 1, he removes the thalamus from the upper area but is not replaced by Balanus which shows that the Balanus do not survive in an area with low tides.
-in experiment 2, Balanus was removed from the lower area which was replaced by Chthamalus. It shows that Balanus is a successful competitor in the lower intertidal zone.
-these experiments clearly show that there is a competition between Balanus and Chthamalus.

Additional Information: Balanus - it is a very huge genus of barnacles mainly the Sessile acorn barnacles and littoral and deep water forms. This genus causes districts to fouling of ships and underwater cables.
Chthamalus - is found along the non-boreal coast of the Northern hemisphere. It is present in the upper intertidal zones only because due to competition exclusive, it is not able to live in the middle intertidal region.
So, the correct answer is, "Competition".

Note: -when one of the two species compete for the same resource and disappears known as competitive release. This allowed the remaining competitor to utilize the resource more fully.
-the two species can't have exactly the same niche in habitat and stably coexist tells about the exclusion of the competition.