Question

A bird enters the mouth of a crocodile and feeds on parasitic leeches. The bird gets food and the crocodile gets rid of blood sucking leeches. Both the partners can live independently, such an association is
A) Mutualism
B) Amensalism
C) Commensalism
D) Protocooperation

Answer 1

Hint:Animal association is a loose association in which two animals or organisms of different species interact with one having some benefit and the other neither gets benefit nor harm from the other.

Complete answer:
Inter-relationship or animal association may be either direct or indirect. If it is among members of the same species, it is called intra-specific and in between members of different groups is called interspecific. Some associations between them are the following.
>Mutualism: Relationship between individuals of different species where both benefits are called mutualism.
>Commensalism: Relationship between two living things where one gets the benefit and the other neither gets benefited or harmed.
>Parasitism: Relationship between two different species where one gets the benefit and the other is harmed.
>Protocooperation: Relationship in which an organism is in an association with another one where both of them are benefitted. It is similar to mutualism.
Phoresis: It means traveling together. It is a temporary association between two living things or individuals.
The relationship among animals ensures food and space among the organism. These relationships are also known as interactions. The main two types of interactions include positive interaction and negative interaction. Positive is beneficial for the interacting partner and at the same time negative is the interacting partner gets harmed. It includes predation, parasitism, and competition.
From the above information, we can conclude that for the above-given situation the association between the living organisms is protocooperation i.e. both the living organisms are benefited and they can also live without each other.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note:Animal interactions or associations are important factors that play major roles in ecological balance and the ecosystem.Animal interactions play a major role in the ecological balance. It is also a part of the food chain and food web. In an ecosystem, energy flow occurs through animal interactions.