Question

Niche overlap indicates
A. Mutualism between two species
B. Active cooperation between two species
C. Two different parasites on the same host
D. Sharing of one more resources between the two species

Answer 1

Hint: Niche or also called ecological niche is a specific part of habitat occupied by individuals of a species which is bounded by its range of tolerance, choice of movement, microclimate, kind of food and its availability, shelter, nature of predator and timing of activity.

Complete answer:
Niche overlap occurs when two species fight for the same limiting resource as a result they overlap and develop related traits. Niche overlap is abridged by resource partitioning. Resource partitioning which is the process of moving things around in order to assure the niche size to a desired level. The methods by which species within ecological communities partition accessible resources among themselves is a major determinant of the diversity of simultaneous species. A community which has more resource sharing or with greater niche overlap, will hold more species than one with less niche overlap.

Two organisms with exactly the same niche are not able to survive in the same habitat for the reason that they compete for exactly the same resources as a result one will drive the other to extinction. On the other hand species whose niches only somewhat overlap may be able to coexist. In addition over long periods of time they might develop to make use of more different or less overlapping sets of resources.
In environmental science, a niche is the match of a species to a definite environmental condition. It gives the idea that how an organism or population responds to the distribution of resources and competitors and how it in turn changes those same factors .
Habitat has several ecological niches and supports a vast number of species. An ecological niche is generally used by a single species. Two or more species are not able to use the same niche in spite of having a mutualistic association. Organisms in the competition have a niche overlap of a partial resource for which they compete. Both owl and the cat feed on the shrews and mice. They live in the same niche because of being ecological equivalents although their habitats are different.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: The kind and number of variables comprising the extent of an environmental niche differ from one species to another . The relative significance of particular environmental variables for a species may change in accordance with the geographic and biotic contexts.