Question

Match the pair of organisms in Group I with their community interaction pattern in Group II. \[ \begin{array}{c|c} \text{Group I} & \text{Group II} \\ \hline P:\; \text{Cattle egrets – African buffalo} & 3:\; \text{Commensalism} \\ Q:\; \text{Lynx – Fox} & 1:\; \text{Competition} \\ R:\; \text{Acacia tree – Pugnacious ants} & 4:\; \text{Mutualism} \\ S:\; \text{Leopard – Antelope} & 2:\; \text{Predation} \\ \end{array} \]

• A. P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
• B. P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2
• C. P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2
• D. P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4

Hint:

Commensalism = one benefits, other neutral; Mutualism = both benefit; Predation = one benefits, one harmed; Competition = both harmed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze each pair.
- Cattle egrets – African buffalo: Egrets benefit by eating insects stirred by buffalo; buffalo unaffected → Commensalism (3).
- Lynx – Fox: Both are predators competing for similar prey → Competition (1).
- Acacia tree – Pugnacious ants: Ants protect tree from herbivores, tree provides shelter/food → Mutualism (4).
- Leopard – Antelope: Predator-prey relationship → Predation (2).
Step 2: Match.
P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2. Final Answer: \[ \boxed{P-3,\; Q-1,\; R-4,\; S-2} \]