Answer: In ecology, character displacement occurs when two closely related species that occupy the same ecological niche diverge in terms of features or behaviors in order to lessen competition for available resources. Because the species occupy slightly distinct niches within their shared habitat, this strategy may promote improved cohabitation amongst the species.
Explanation: Natural selection is what drives character displacement, which is evident in appearance, behavior, and resource usage, among other biological domains. The following are a few instances of character displacement:
- Geospiza spp., or Darwin's Finches: Charles Darwin's observations of the Galápagos Islands' finches offer a well-known illustration of character displacement. He saw that in order to make use of the various food supplies on the islands, different kinds of finches had evolved distinct beak sizes and forms. The size of the seeds that the two species of finches mostly ate varied when they coexisted on the same island and had similar beak forms. Because of this, there was less rivalry for food supplies, enabling both species to coexist in the same habitat.
- Amolis Reptiles: In the Caribbean, Anolis lizards display character displacement in terms of appearance and habitat utilization. When two species of Anolis live on the same island, their body sizes and limb lengths frequently differ. Because of their differing body sizes, they are less competitive for insects and other prey items and can use different areas of the plant as perches.
- Iguanas on Galápagos Island: The eating habits and behavior of marine and land iguanas on the Galápagos Islands have diverged over time. Marine iguanas are suited to eat sea algae, but land iguanas mostly consume flora found on land. There is less rivalry for food resources between the two species as a result of their different diets and habitat preferences.
- African Cichlids in Rift Lakes: Fish species known as cichlids have diversified into many forms in the African Rift Lakes, including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. Each of these forms is focused on a particular kind of food source. Certain cichlid species, for instance, have evolved unique jaw features to enable them to feed on algae, while other species have evolved jaws to allow them to catch small fish or crustaceans. Multiple species can survive in the same lakes thanks to this specialization, which also lessens competition for food supplies.
Natural selection has favored trait differences that lessen competition between closely related species, leading to character displacement in each of these examples. These variations may intensify over time, encouraging niche differentiation and making it easier for diverse species to live in the same habitat. This process is fundamental to the formation of ecosystems and is a major driver of biodiversity.