Question

The principle of competitive exclusion was stated by
A. MacArthur
B. Verhulst and Pearl
C. C. Darwin
D. G. F. Gause

Answer 1

Hint: The principle of competitive exclusion states that two species with the same niches cannot coexist indefinitely. This is due to the resemblance of the needs of both the species which builds the competition between two individuals for shelter, food, etc.

Complete answer:
This principle of competitive exclusion was concluded during the early twentieth century by natural historians and ecological theorists. This principle was attributed to Georgii Frantsevitch Gause in his book The Struggle of Existence in 1934. He experimented on the protozoa that use similar resources that can not coexist. This is because of the limited availability of various sources like food, shelter, etc. Both the individuals will fight with each other in order to accumulate the vital resources which will ultimately lead to the death of one of the two organisms. Gause’s research is used in ecology as it explains the ecological survival of the different species with each other.
Gause’s principle of competitive exclusion has been a central theme of study in ecology as it helps to understand the mechanisms of species coexistence and various patterns of biodiversity. Various other research is also carried out in the same context with the help of mathematical models and unifying the concept of niche with resource competition.

Hence, the correct option is D) G. F. Gause.

Note:
There are some criticisms of these principles that deterministic processes cannot by itself explain too high levels of species diversity, but the ongoing consensus is that species coexistence and diversity patterns are likely a combination of stochastic explanations.