Question

cattle egrets (a type of bird) and livestock (animals on a farm) participate in a symbiotic relationship. the cattle egret stays close to the livestock as the livestock moves around in the farm. the cattle egret feeds on the insects that come out of the soil and vegetation due to the movement of the livestock. the livestock remains unaffected by this. what kind of a relationship is this? a facultative mutualism b commensalism c brood parasitism d obligate mutualism

Explanation:

To determine the symbiotic relationship:

• Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected. Here, cattle egrets benefit (get insects) from livestock’s movement, while livestock is unaffected.
• Facultative mutualism requires both to benefit (not the case, as livestock gains nothing).
• Brood parasitism involves laying eggs in others’ nests (irrelevant here).
• Obligate mutualism requires both to depend on each other (livestock does not depend on egrets).

Answer:

B. Commensalism