Question

Oxpeckers and rhinos manifest a symbiotic relationship in the wild. The oxpeckers warn the rhinos about approaching poachers, thus possibly saving the lives of the rhinos. Oxpeckers also feed on the parasitic ticks found on rhinos. In the symbiotic relationship described above, the primary benefits for oxpeckers and rhinos respectively are,

• A. Oxpeckers get a food source, rhinos have no benefit.
• B. Oxpeckers save their habitat from poachers while the rhinos have no benefit.
• C. Oxpeckers get a food source, rhinos may be saved from the poachers.
• D. Oxpeckers save the lives of poachers, rhinos save their own lives.

Hint:

In symbiotic relationships, both species often gain a benefit. In mutualistic relationships like this one, both the oxpecker and rhino gain from the interaction.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In this symbiotic relationship between oxpeckers and rhinos, both species benefit from the interaction:
1. Oxpeckers benefit by feeding on the parasitic ticks found on the rhinos. This provides the oxpeckers with a food source.
2. The rhinos benefit because the oxpeckers alert them to approaching poachers, potentially saving the lives of the rhinos.
Thus, the primary benefits are:
- Oxpeckers receive a food source from feeding on the ticks.
- Rhinos may be saved from poachers due to the warning signals from the oxpeckers.
Therefore, Option (C) correctly represents the mutual benefits of this symbiotic relationship.
Analysis of Other Options:
- Option (A): Incorrect because rhinos do receive a benefit (being warned about poachers), not just oxpeckers getting a food source.
- Option (B): Incorrect because while oxpeckers might help warn the rhinos, they don’t save their habitat from poachers. Rhinos benefit directly from the poacher warnings.
- Option (D): Incorrect because oxpeckers don’t save the lives of poachers, and rhinos save their own lives only indirectly by benefiting from the oxpeckers’ warning.
Thus, (C) is the most accurate answer.