The realized niche of an organism is

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) the life pattern that the organism actually assumes

Explanation:

• The realized niche is the actual set of environmental conditions and resources a species uses in the presence of competition and predation.
• It is usually narrower than the fundamental niche.
• The fundamental niche is the full range of conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce in the absence of biotic interference.
• This concept was significantly developed by G.E. Hutchinson in 1957.
• It explains how species coexist by partitioning resources.

• Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle states that two species competing for the exact same resources cannot coexist.
• Niche overlap often leads to character displacement or local extinction of the weaker competitor.

• Incorrect; this refers to population distribution or dispersion patterns, not a niche.

• Incorrect; habitat is the physical place, while a niche is the functional role and resource use.

• While competition defines the realized niche, a niche is defined by functional roles and multiple variables, not just physical area.