Q. Crustacean attach themselves to the body of a whale so that they can migrate to new feeding grounds. The whale is not helped or harmed by the barnacles. Which of the following statements most appropriately defines the type of ecological interaction exists between the whale and the Crustaceans
Answer: A
Notes:
Commensalism is a long-term, close association between two species in which one benefits and the other is unaffected. In this case the Crustaceans benefit since Whale help them migrate to new feeding grounds, but the whale is unaffected by their presence.
In parasitism, one organism (the parasite) feeds off of another (the host) without killing it. The parasite benefits while the host is harmed.
In predation, a member of one species eats a member of another species. In this case, neither species eats the other.
In mutualism, both species benefit.
Source- Article
