Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Paramecium caudatum is a species of single-celled organisms that belongs to the genus Paramecium. It is characterized by its elongated body shape and moves using cilia.
Related terms
Competitive exclusion principle: This term refers to the idea that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely, with one eventually outcompeting and driving the other to extinction.
Niche differentiation: This term describes how similar species can coexist in a community by occupying slightly different ecological niches, thus reducing competition.
Resource partitioning: This term refers to the process by which competing species divide up and utilize available resources, leading to reduced competition.