Question

which of the following scenarios best represents an example of commensalism? a grasshopper lives within weeds that it also eats. two species of bee are both visiting the same field of flowers to obtain nectar. a coral contains internal algae that provide the coral with food. the coral gives nutrients to the algae. egrets forage in a field of cattle. as the cattle move around, they stir up various prey for the egrets to eat.

Explanation:

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

• In the first option, the grasshopper both lives in and eats the weeds. This is more of a consumer - resource relationship (herbivory) rather than commensalism.
• In the second option, two bee species visiting the same flowers for nectar is an example of competition (for the same resource - nectar).
• In the third option, the coral and algae have a mutualistic relationship (both benefit). The algae provide food to the coral, and the coral provides nutrients to the algae.
• In the fourth option, the egrets benefit (get food) from the cattle stirring up prey. The cattle are neither helped nor harmed by the egrets' foraging.

Answer:

Egrets forage in a field of cattle. As the cattle move around, they stir up various prey for the egrets to eat.