  Artificial ecosystems provide an additional experimental tool to support
laboratory work, field work, and theoretical development in competitive
exclusion research. A novel application of a spatiotemporal agent based model
is presented which simulates two foraging species of different intrinsic growth
rates competing for the same replenishing resource in stable and seasonal
environments. This experimental approach provides precise control over the
parameters for the environment, the species, and individual movements. Detailed
trajectories of these non-equilibrium populations and their characteristics are
produced. Narrow zones of potential coexistence are identified within the
environmental and intrinsic growth parameter spaces. An example of commensalism
driven by the local spatial dynamics is identified. Results of these
experiments are discussed in context of modern coexistence theory and research
in movement-mediated community assembly. Constraints on possible origination
scenarios are identified.
