Animal Kingdom Question 371
Question: A relationship in which a sea anemone attached to shall of the hermit crab is called
[AMU 2005]
Options:
A) Mutualism
B) Protocooperation
C) Amensalism
D) Commonsism
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
The terms given here describe the interaction between organisms in nature. When both the species benefit, the interaction is called mutualism.
One species is harmed whereas the other is unaffected is called amensalism.
Protocooperation is a positive interaction beneficial for both the interacting organisms but is not an obligatory interaction and both species can lead their independent lives without an intimate interaction.
The interaction where one species is benefited and the other is neither benefited nor harmed is called as commensalism.
Some people describe the relationship between the sea anemone and hermit crab as commensalism in which the hermit crab is protected from its predators but some view it as mutualism because sea anemone gains motility by being attached to the shell of the hermit crab. The view of describing this relation as commensalism is more prevalent. Therefore, the correct answer is option D.
BETA
