Explain How The Niche Is a Definition Species

The niche as a textbook definition is the individual role of a species in an ecosystem. However, this definition fails to address whether a species fits a niche or vice versa. It is in the detail that we find that a niche is what defines a species. This is because two species cannot occupy the same niche. Interspecific competition results in one species that occupies the same niche becoming extinct. To combat this, niche differentiation takes places. This can occur through natural selection, as a species learns to occupy a different area when scouring for the same food, or even changes the types of food it consumes. This results in a species niche changing, and therefore preventing extinction. This theory would suggest that niche differentiation is always occurring, since biotic and abiotic factors are dynamic. This concept is key to maintaining biodiversity, and through this we can make the statement that all species have their own niche, and the niche is the identifying factor. However, there is evidence to the contrary. An example would be the hispine beetle species.
These beetle species, which eat the same food and occupy the same habitat, coexist without any evidence of segregation or exclusion.

This directly contradicts the theory proposed by our title. However, instances like this are few and far between, and so, to conclude we can alter the initial theory to The niche is generally a definition species.