why are there a huge amount of different insect varieties, like in ants, but only a small amount of different varieties in animals such as crocodiles?

Question

why are there a huge amount of different insect varieties, like in ants, but only a small amount of different varieties in animals such as crocodiles?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Tiny changes in those small animals allow them to fulfill different niches and avoid competition. A tiny change in a crocodiles morphology wouldn’t do as much the separate it from the other croc species.

Ex. A slight change in the size of a birds beak (I know I changed examples but still) will change its primary food source. A small change in a crocs mouth.. will still make it be a top predator.