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Competition in Ecosystems

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Until the 1930's, the dominant mammal in Louisiana marsh was the muskrat. A hurricane on Avery Island broke open several cages of nutria (a large rodent from South America), releasing them into the marsh. Now nutria have displaced the muskrat. What type of competition is this? Why are introduced species better competitors than native species?

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Solution Summary

This solution is provided in about 270 words and discusses the concept of competition. The concept of invasive species is also included and is mentioned in terms of how it relates to this problem.

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Interspecies competition is a type of competition that occurs between members of different species. The dominant species will displace the other species by eliminating a native species resources. In the above example the nutria is the dominant, invasive species acting on the muskrat.

The dominant species may be a better competitor for multiple reasons. These include direct interactions between individuals of different species such ...

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