Strong and weak competitors can coexist in the same niche

Abstract

The competitive exclusion principle postulates that two trophically identical but fitness different species can not stably coexist in the same niche. However, this principle contradicts the observed nature's species richness. This fact is known as the biodiversity paradox. Here, using a simple cellular automaton model, we mechanistically show how two trophically identical, but fitness different species may stably coexist in the same niche. As environment is stable and any trade-offs are absent in this model, it strongly violates the competitive exclusion principle.