Cattle egrets follow African ungulates such as African buffalo around and catch insects that the buffalo flush out.Oxpeckers perch on the backs of buffalo and feed on ectoparasites that infest the buffalo.Which one of the following shows the ecological interaction that the buffalo has with each bird?
A)cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: commensalism
B)cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: mutualism
C)cattle egret: competition; oxpecker: mutualism
D)cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: mutualism
E)cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: commensalism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cattle egret has a commensalistic relationship with the African buffalo because it benefits from following them around and catching insects that the buffalo flush out, but the buffalo does not benefit or suffer from this interaction. The oxpecker has a mutualistic relationship with the African buffalo because it benefits from feeding on ectoparasites that infest the buffalo, and the buffalo benefits from having these parasites removed.

Cattle Egrets Follow African Ungulates Such as African Buffalo Around