Question

Cuscuta is an example of
(a)Brood parasitism
(b)Predation
(c) Endoparasitism
(d)Ectoparasitism

Answer 1

Hint: Cuscuta is a leafless parasitic herb (family Convolvulaceae) that feeds on the body of the hosts. Cuscuta comprises the dodders which have whitish or yellow filamentous stems.

Complete answer:
Cuscuta is a total shot parasite of many plants that live on the body of a plant, so it is an ectoparasite (a parasite that lives on the surface of a host organism).

Additional Information
Brood parasitism - A kind of parasitism practiced by certain birds, for example, cuckoos and cowbirds, in which eggs of a particular bird are hatched and nourished in another bird's nest. A classic example of Brood parasitism is cuckoo keeping their eggs in Crow's nests.
In predation, one organism kills and consumes the other organism. Predation provides a transfer of energy from one organism (prey) to the other organism (predator). This is done to prolong life and promote the reproduction of the organism that does the killing, the predator.
Endoparasitism is defined as when one or more than one organism (parasite) reproduces and nourishes itself in the body of another organism (host). For example nematodes, tapeworms, and other helminths (live in the gut of their hosts).
Ectoparasitism is defined as when one organism or several organisms (parasites) feed and reproduce outside the body of the organism (host). Example:- when lice that feed externally on the skin of the humans.

So, the correct answer is ‘Ectoparasitism’.

Note: The action of attacking and killing prey is called Predation. The tendency of parasites is to live in or on the body of the hosts is called parasitism. Brood parasitism is a kind of parasitism practiced by certain birds.