Correct option is B
Character displacement refers to the evolutionary divergence in traits between two species in areas where their ranges overlap (sympatric populations). It occurs when differences in traits (such as beak size or shape) evolve to reduce competition for resources between closely related species.
In this case, the evolution of distinct beak shapes in two sympatric bird species is an example of character displacement because the birds are diverging in their feeding morphology to utilize different resources (seeds of different plants) in the same environment, thereby minimizing competition.
Information Booster:
Character displacement often happens when two species that are similar in traits (morphology, behavior, etc.) share a similar niche and face competition. Over time, natural selection favors traits that reduce this competition.
In this case, the evolution of distinct beak shapes in birds is a direct response to competition over food resources, specifically seeds from different plants.
Sympatric species are those that live in the same geographic area, so the evolutionary changes in their traits are influenced by the presence of the other species, leading to divergence.
Character displacement is commonly observed in ecological scenarios where different species utilize slightly different niches within the same environment.
It reduces resource overlap and facilitates coexistence by minimizing competition, which can increase the survival and reproduction of each species.
Additional Information:
(a) Two sympatric lizards with similar morphologies consume the same insects: This situation does not demonstrate character displacement because there is no indication of evolutionary divergence or reduced competition for resources.
(c) A predator evolves higher visual acuity to catch camouflaged prey: This is an example of an adaptation to a specific ecological pressure (predator-prey interaction) but not an example of character displacement between species.
(d) Two plant species have similar flower shapes to attract the same pollinators: This is an example of convergent evolution, not character displacement. The plants are evolving similar traits due to similar selective pressures (attracting pollinators), but there is no competition leading to divergence.
