Question

The relationship between ants and treehoppers in the presence of spiders is an example of a. commensalism. b. competition. c. consumption. d. mutualism.

Short answer

d. mutualism.

Step-by-step solution

Define the terms

Before answering the question, let's define each term to fully understand them: 1. Commensalism: A relationship between two species where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. 2. Competition: A relationship between two species where they both try to obtain resources from the same environment, causing negative effects on both participants. 3. Consumption: A type of interaction in which one species feeds on and causes harm to another species. 4. Mutualism: A relationship between two species where both species benefit from the interaction.

Determine the relationship

Now that we have defined each term, let's move on to the interaction between ants, treehoppers, and spiders. Ants provide protection to treehoppers from predators like spiders, and in return, treehoppers give ants sweet liquid from their body called honeydew. In this relationship, both species benefit – ants get food from treehoppers, and treehoppers receive protection from ants. Hence, this interaction is an example of mutualism.

Answer

In conclusion, the relationship between ants and treehoppers in the presence of spiders is: d. mutualism.

Key concepts

Commensalism

In the natural world, relationships between different species can take on various unique forms. Commensalism is one of those special interactions. It describes a situation where one species benefits from another, while the other species neither gains nor loses anything from the relationship. Imagine a bird building its nest in a tree. The bird is protected and has a home to raise its chicks, but the tree isn’t particularly advantaged or hindered by the nest’s presence. Commensalism often occurs in nature, showcasing how diverse life can coexist. These interactions are usually quite stable, as the non-benefitting organism continues its life without significant changes. Yet, commensalism reminds us that relationships can be complex and not all interactions need to cause significant changes to all parties involved. Some quick points to remember about commensalism:

• Only one species benefits.
• The other species remains unaffected.
• Common examples include barnacles on whales or birds nesting in trees.

Competition

Competition is a common interaction in ecosystems where different species vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates. Unlike commensalism, competition usually results in a negative impact for both parties involved because resources are limited, and each species tries to get enough to survive and reproduce. Think of plants growing closely together where they compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil. This kind of competitive pressure can lead to what ecologists call the "competitive exclusion principle." This principle posits that two species competing for the exact resources cannot stably coexist and eventually, one will outcompete the other. Yet, sometimes the competition might not lead to exclusion but rather encourage species to adapt or niche differentiate to survive. Key facts about competition include:

• Both species are negatively affected.
• It's typically about essential resources like food, water, and light.
• Can lead to extinction, adaptation, or coexistence through niche partitioning.

Consumption

Consumption relationships, also known as predation, depict a scenario where one species feeds on another. This can sometimes seem harsh, but it is a critical component of most ecosystems, helping maintain balance by controlling population sizes and promoting diversity. Examples of consumption include a lion hunting a zebra or a caterpillar munching on leaves. Consumption isn't only about large animals - it can also include small organisms and processes like parasitism or herbivory. Even though consumption involves harm to one species, it is an important ecological interaction that drives evolution and helps boost biodiversity. For instance, predators encourage prey species to develop better defenses, leading to a dynamic "arms race" that contributes to the diversity of life. To summarize key points about consumption:

• One species benefits (feeds); the other is harmed.
• Includes different forms like predation, parasitism, and herbivory.
• Encourages evolutionary adaptations and diversity.