Lampreys are known to attach themselves to fish. In doing so they rasp off a section of the fish with hard keratinized structures and "feed" on the blood and fluid that oozes into their oral cavity. Fish can survive with a lamprey attached, but they have to expend extra energy swimming with the lamprey attached. This association would be designated a:
A)mutualism.
B)parasitism.
C)predation.
D)commensalism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of parasitism because the lamprey benefits by feeding on the fish's blood and fluids, while the fish is harmed by the loss of tissue and the extra energy needed to swim with the lamprey attached.

Lampreys Are Known to Attach Themselves to Fish