Define the following terms and give one example for each:
$(a)$ Commensalism
$(b)$ Parasitism
$(c)$ Camouflage
$(d)$ Mutualism
$(e)$ Interspecific competition
$(a)$ Commensalism: Commensalism is an interaction between two species in which one species gets benefited while the other remains unaffected. An orchid growing on the branches of a mango tree and barnacles attached to the body of whales are examples of commensalisms.
$(b)$ Parasitism: It is an interaction between two species in which one species (usually smaller) gets positively affected, while the other species (usually larger) is negatively affected. An example of this is liver fluke. Liver fluke is a parasite that lives inside the liver of the host body and derives nutrition from it. Hence, the parasite is benefited as it derives nutrition from the host, while the host is negatively affected as the parasite reduces the host fitness, making its body weak.
$(c)$ Camouflage: It is a strategy adapted by prey species to escape their predators. Organisms are cryptically coloured so that they can easily mingle in their surroundings and escape their predators. Many species of frogs and insects camouflage in their surroundings and escape their predators.
$(d)$ Mutualism: It is an interaction between two species in which both species involved are benefited. For example, lichens show a mutual symbiotic relationship between fungi and blue green algae, where both are equally benefited from each other.
$(e)$ Interspecific competition: It is an interaction between individuals of different species where both species get negatively affected. For example, the competition between flamingos and resident fishes in South American lakes for common food resources i.e., zooplankton.
In an aqueous environment, the microscopic animals are collectively called
$A$ : Five closely related species of warblers living on the same tree can avoid competition and co-exist.
$R$ : This occurs due to behavioural differences in their foraging activities.
What is the ecological principle behind the biological control method of managing with pest insects?
If the strong partner is benefitted and the weak partner is damaged, it is known as
Camouflage is an important mechanism where