Discussion

Match the types of ecological interactions in Group 1 with their respective definitions in Group 2.

Group 1	Group 2
(P) Protocooperation	(i) One species is harmed but the other is neither harmed nor benefitted
(Q) Commensalism	(ii) A type of mutualism where one species is benefitted more than the other
(R) Amensalism	(iii) Both the species are benefitted but the interaction between them is not obligatory
(S) Helotism	(iv) One species is benefitted without harming the other

Answer: A

The correct match is P-iii, Q-iv, R-i, S-ii.

Protocooperation: both species benefit, but the association is not obligatory.
Commensalism: one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.
Amensalism: one species is harmed while the other is unaffected, as when one organism releases an inhibitory chemical.
Helotism: a lopsided form of mutualism in which one partner gains much more, likened to master and slave (the fungus-alga relationship in lichens is the usual example).

The other options confuse commensalism with amensalism, which differ in whether the affected species is helped or harmed.

No comment is present. Be the first to comment.

Loading…