The Abingdon tortoise in the Galapagos Islands is a classic example of competitive release and extinction due to invasive species. Historical ecological data confirms that the population of these tortoises declined rapidly and became extinct shortly after the introduction of goats to the island.
The extinction was driven by interspecific competition for resources. Goats are highly efficient browsers compared to the tortoises. Because the goats were more efficient at consuming the available vegetation, they outcompeted the tortoises for food, leading to the tortoise's extinction. Thus, the reason provided is scientifically accurate and explains the mechanism behind the assertion.
Since the assertion is a factual observation of ecological history and the reason correctly identifies the biological mechanism (competitive exclusion) that caused it, both statements are correct and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
Final Answer: Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
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