Cattle egrets follow African ungulates such as African buffalo around and catch insects that the buffalo flush out. Oxpeckers perch on the backs of buffalo and feed on ectoparasites that infest the buffalo. Which one of the following shows the ecological interaction that the buffalo has with each bird?

Question

A.  cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: commensalism
B.  cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: mutualism
C.  cattle egret: competition; oxpecker: mutualism
D.  cattle egret: mutualism; oxpecker: mutualism
E.  cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: commensalism


Clarify question:
What is the key concept addressed by the question?

What type of thinking is required?
 
Gather Content:
What do you already know about symbiotic relationships and the qualifications for each? What other information is related to the question? 

Choose Answer:
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflection on Process:
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

B.  cattle egret: commensalism; oxpecker: mutualism


Clarify question:
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
The question requires an understanding of different types of symbiotic relationships and identification of relationships based on a descriptions of the associations between different animals.

What type of thinking is required?
This is an application question, you need to apply your knowledge of symbiotic relationships to situations with cattle egrets and oxpeckers. In this question you need to match the bird (oxpecker or egret) with the type of symbiotic relationship it has with larger grazers.
 
Gather Content:
What do you already know about symbiotic relationships and the qualifications for each? What other information is related to the question? 
Commensalisms are relationships where one benefits and the other is not affected in any way. In a mutualistic relationship both partners benefit from the relationship.Parasitic relationships are where one benefits and the other is harmed by the relationship.

Choose Answer:
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
The egret has a commensalistic relationship, it gets food but the buffalo receives no benefit from the association. The oxpecker has a mutualistic relationship, the bird gets food and the buffalo gets ectoparasites (ex. ticks) removed.
 
Reflection on Process:
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
You need to apply your knowledge of symbiosis to the situation. Were you able to recognize if the buffalo benefits in either, both, or neither relationship? In both cases, the birds benefit and so the correct answers depend on being able to determine if the buffalo benefits or not or if it is harmed.