Cattle egrets follow African ungulates such as African buffalo around and catch insects that the buffalo flush.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, as it benefits from catching insects that the buffalo flush, but the buffalo is neither helped nor harmed by the egret's presence. The oxpecker has a mutualistic relationship with the buffalo, as it feeds on the ectoparasites that infest the buffalo, providing a service for the buffalo by removing harmful parasites. Therefore, the correct choice is B, which matches the cattle egret with commensalism and the oxpecker with mutualism.

Cattle Egrets Follow African Ungulates Such as African Buffalo Around