Question

Compare the fundamental and realized niche for each

Chthamalus and Balanus

ecology lab

Barnacle Competition (model)

Answer 1

Fundamental niche refers to the total area that a species occupies when there is no competition, whereas, realized niche is the actual area that a species occupies in presence of a competition. A classic example of fundamental and realized niche is given by the two species of barnacles- Chthamalus and Balanus.

It was found that the Balanus occupies lower tidal region both in presence and absence of Chthamalus. Thus, it's fundamental and realized niches are same. Chthamalus, on the other hand, could occupy only the upper portion in presence of Balanus. Due to presence of competition, it was prevented from occupying the lower tidal region. When Balanus was removed, it was found that Chthamalus had occupied both the lower and upper tidal portion.

It was thus concluded, that the realized and fundamental niche of Balanus were same, that is, the lower tidal region, whereas the fundamental niche of Chthamalus (both lower and upper tidal region) was larger that it's realized niche (upper tidal region).