Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Gause's competitive exclusion principle states that two closely related species competing for different resources cannot exist indefinitely.

Statement II: According to Gause's principle, during competition, the inferior will be eliminated. This may be true if resources are limiting.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

To determine the correct option, let us analyze each statement individually based on ecological principles:

Analysis of Statement I:
Gause's Competitive Exclusion Principle states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely, and the competitively inferior one will eventually be eliminated. Statement I incorrect because it mentions "competing for different resources". If species compete for different resources, they do not undergo intense competition and can easily co-exist. Therefore, Statement I is false.

Analysis of Statement II:
According to Gause's principle, the competitively inferior species will be eliminated by the superior competitor. However, this competitive exclusion holds true particularly when resources are limiting. In conditions where resources are abundant, exclusion may not occur. Therefore, Statement II is true.

Based on this logical evaluation, Statement I is false but Statement II is true.