Purple martins are the largest species of swallow in North America.In the Eastern United States,they breed almost exclusively in large colonies in artificial martin houses and hollowed- out gourds hung by martin enthusiasts,who often have to remove invasive house sparrows from these artificial nest sites in order for the martins to have a place to nest.The relationship between the martins and sparrows can best be described as __________ ,and the relationship between the martins and the martin enthusiasts can best be described as ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first blank must be filled with a term that describes the negative relationship between purple martins and invasive house sparrows. Intraspecific competition involves competition between individuals of the same species, but in this case, the martins and sparrows are different species. Predation and parasitism involve one species benefiting at the expense of the other, which is not the case here either. Therefore, the best term to describe the relationship is interspecific competition. The second blank must be filled with a term that describes the positive relationship between martins and martin enthusiasts who provide artificial nest sites. Mutualism involves a mutually beneficial relationship between two species, which is the case here. Therefore, the best term to describe the relationship is mutualism.

Purple Martins Are the Largest Species of Swallow in North