OBJECTIVE FORESTRY

FORESTRY

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
A bird that gets food by cleaning the teeth of a crocodile is an example of what?
A
Mutualism
B
Commensalism
C
Parasitism
D
Communism
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Protocooperation is an interaction between two living organisms of different species which is mutually beneficial, but both organisms can survive successfully without the relationship. In the aforementioned relationship, the bird feeds on the ectoparasites in the crocodiles mouth.

Detailed explanation-2: -An alligator and a birds symbiotic relationship is mutualism. The alligator gets its teeth cleaned by the bird. The bird gets its food from the alligators teeth. An example of commensalism is when a bird flies in an alligators mouth and gets food from the alligators mouth.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Egyptian Plover bird recognizes this invitation, and if one is nearby it will fly into the mouth of the crocodile, eat the food stuck in its teeth, and fly away. The plover gets a meal and the crocodile gets a valuable tooth cleaning: they both benefit.

Detailed explanation-4: -The bird is sometimes referred to as the crocodile bird for its symbiotic relationship with crocodiles. According to Herodotus, the crocodiles lie on the shore with their mouths open and a bird called “Trochilus” flies into the crocodiles’ mouths so as to feed on decaying meat lodged between the crocodiles’ teeth.

There is 1 question to complete.