Several Species of Grain Beetles Can Live on Dry Meal

Multiple Choice

Several species of grain beetles can live on dry meal, obtaining water from their metabolic reactions. Many of these beetle species are grain pests that do considerable damage to stored grain. You set up an experiment with a dozen jars of dry meal. In each jar you introduce 50 individuals from each of two species. The food supply is sufficient to last for a year, and the size of the jar is adequate to prevent toxic waste buildup. In 6 months, when you reexamine the jars, you will most likely find

A) a totally random number of organisms from both beetle species.
B) only one species per jar, similar to the classic competitive exclusion principle experiment with paramecia.
C) the same ratio of beetles as when you started, about half from each species.
D) only dead beetles in all jars due to intense competition.
E) a new species of hybrid beetles in each of the jars.