Question

it is common to find barnacles attached to the skin of many whale species. the whale brings the barnacles to many areas of nutrient - rich water. meanwhile, the whales appear unaffected by the presence of the barnacles. this association is an example of what type of species interaction?
commensalism
mutualism
competition
exploitation

Explanation:

• Commensalism: One species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Barnacles benefit (get to nutrient - rich areas) and whales are unaffected.
• Mutualism: Both species benefit. But whales are not shown to benefit here.
• Competition: Two or more species compete for the same resources (not the case here).
• Exploitation: One species benefits at the expense of another (whales are not harmed, so not this).

Answer:

commensalism