ECOLOGY
ENERGY FLOW AND PRIMARY PRODUCTION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Only the birds.
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Only the cattle.
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Both the birds and the cattle.
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Neither the birds nor the cattle.
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Detailed explanation-1: -So, the correct answer is Commensalism. Q. Cattle egrets eat the insects stirred up by cattle when they are grazing. The cattle are unaffected, while the birds gain food.
Detailed explanation-2: -The cattle are simply providing for themselves their daily needs, but as a result, they are also providing for a local bird. This is a great example of a commensalism symbiotic relationship; it benefits the needs of one without risk to the other.
Detailed explanation-3: -Cattle egrets closely follow cows to feed upon the grasshoppers, crickets, horseflies, moths, spiders, and other insects kicked up by the hooves of the cattle. They literally follow the cattle around to feast upon a host of disturbed insects.
Detailed explanation-4: -The cattle egret and grazing cattle in close association is a classic example of commensalism. The egrets always forage close to where the cattle are grazing because the cattle, as they move, stir up and flush out insects from the vegetation that otherwise might be difficult for the egrets to find and catch.
Detailed explanation-5: -Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where all species involved benefit from their interactions.