EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Mutualism occurs when both species benefit from the interaction. Crocodiles have a mutualistic relationship with plover birds. Plover birds will eat leftover food from between the crocodile’s teeth, giving the bird a free meal and the crocodile a trip to the dentist.

Detailed explanation-2: -Egyptian plovers and crocodiles have a unique symbiotic relationship. Because crocodiles cannot use dental floss, they get food stuck in their teeth. All that food rots their teeth and probably causes them some pain. When the crocodile feels the need for a good tooth cleaning it will sit with its mouth wide open.

Detailed explanation-3: -If we were in the warm waters of the Pacific or Indian Oceans, we’d likely spot an excellent example of mutualism: the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones. In a mutualistic relationship, both species benefit. Sea anemones live attached to the surface of coral reefs.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the aforementioned relationship, the bird feeds on the ectoparasites in the crocodiles mouth. The bird gets a meal and the crocodile gets rid of its parasites, but nevertheless its not an obligatory relationship. Both the organisms can survive without this relationship, therefore this relation is protocooperation.