Ecological Relationships Formative Assessment

What is your first name?

What is your last name?

What class period are you in?

• 1st
• 2nd
• 3rd
• 4th

The Nile crocodile is well-known for being hyper-aggressive whenever an uninvited visitor steps into their territory. However, there is one creature that the scaly reptilians will not only tolerate, but practically welcome into their aquatic domain. Incredibly, the Egyptian Plover aka “Crocodile Bird” will fly into the crocodile’s open mouth and feed upon the decomposing meat stuck between their teeth. The plover gets a not so scrumptious meal while the crocodile gets a little free dental work! What type of relationship is demonstrated by the Nile crocodile and the Egyption Plover?

• commensalism
• competition
• mutualism
• parasitism
• predation

Sponges are very abundant in coral reefs. If they become too successful, however, they take needed food and other resources from the corals that make up the reef. What relationship do the sponges and coral have?

• commensalism
• competition
• mutualism
• parasitism
• predation

The species Phoradendron serotinum, commonly known as the Eastern mistletoe or the oak mistletoe, is found in North America- including right here in Winder- and can be found growing on many of our beautiful oak trees. The mistletoe takes water and nutrients from the oak tree, causing damage to the tree. What type of relationship is being shown?

• commensalism
• competition
• mutualism
• parasitism
• predation

Orcas (commonly known as killer whales) in the North Pacific hunt and kill sea otters for food. What type of ecological relationship is this?

• commensalism
• competition
• mutualism
• parasitism
• predation

Spanish moss (not a true moss) is a plant that grows on and hangs from the limbs of trees. It is closely related to the pineapple. It can be seen in the southern USA. It has a small flower and produces seeds. It does not obtain any nutrients from the tree upon which it grows. Spanish moss photosynthesizes and absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. What type of relationship is demonstrated by the Spanish moss and trees?

• commensalism
• competition
• mutualism
• parasitism
• predation