In the interactions among the tree-dwelling black ants, the roundworms, and the birds, the ants are the ________ for the roundworms.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ants are serving as hosts for the roundworms, meaning the roundworms are living inside the ants without immediately killing them, which is a form of parasitism. However, technically speaking, the roundworms are not benefiting the ants in any way, so it is more accurate to classify the ants as mere hosts rather than mutualists. Additionally, none of the other answer choices would apply since the roundworms are not directly preying on the ants, nor are the ants acting as predators or mutualists towards the roundworms.

In the Interactions Among the Tree-Dwelling Black Ants, the Roundworms