On Pacific islands, a newly arrived gecko species, the house gecko, is displacing the previously established mourning gecko in urban areas, but populations of the two species are more stable in rural areas far from human settlement. The house gecko does not attack the mourning gecko, but in areas where insects congregate it prevents the mourning gecko from feeding on them.

Which of the following contributes most to an explanation of the difference between gecko populations in urban and rural areas?

• AIn urban areas, geckos are valued because they eat so many insects.  
• BGeckos defend territories against other members of the same species.  
• CHouse geckos that arrive on islands are carried there in boats and planes.  
• DIn places where there are lighted buildings, insects tend to gather around the light.  
• EMourning geckos are all females and reproduce asexually, but house geckos reproduce sexually.