Ecological Relationship 2

A bird species follows a grazing herd of bison, feeding on insects that are stirred up by the bison as they move. 

   The bison are unaffected by the presence of the birds. What type of relationship is demonstrated in this scenario?

• 1. Competition

• 1. Commensalism

• 1. Parasitism

• 1. Mutualism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

In some coral reefs, symbiotic relationships exist between pygmy seahorses and sea fans. The pygmy seahorse can wrap its tail around the branches of the sea fan. This allows the pygmy seahorse to be camouflaged within the sea fan, protecting it from predators, the pygmy seahorse does not harm or benefit the 

     sea fan while it grasps the branches with its tail.

  What is the correct classification of this symbiotic relationship?

• 1. Predator/prey

• 1. Mutualism

• 1. Commensalism

• 1. Parasite/host

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

In North American forests, two species of birds, nuthatches and brown creepers, forage on the same trees for 

    insects. Brown creepers feed on insects found near the bottom of the tree trunk, while nuthatches feed on 

    insects in the top part of the tree.

    The difference in foraging behavior most likely affects the nuthatches and brown creepers by ____

1. 
   
   

• 1. allowing the birds to avoid many types of predators

• 1. reducing competition between the birds for resources

• 1. preventing the birds from interbreeding with each other

• 1. establishing dominance between the birds for nesting sites

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

 Four common relationships between organisms are listed in the box.

Which statements best describe these relationships? Select TWO that apply

• 1. Relationships 1 and 4 are examples of mutualism.

      Relationship  2 is an example of commensalism.

• 2. Relationships 2 and 4 are examples of mutualism.

  Relationships 3 is an example of parasitism.

• 3. Relationships 1 is an example of commensalism.

  Relationships 2 and 3 are examples of parasitism.

• 4. Relationships 1 and 4 are examples of mutualism

  Relationship 3  is an example of parasitism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Short Constructed Response

Describe an example of mutualism between two species of your choice. Explain how each partner benefits from this interaction and how it contributes to the overall stability of the ecosystem.