Question

Which of the following is correct among the following statements related to species interaction?

• A. Calotropis releases a strong smell to prevent cattle and goats from eating its leaves.
• B. Predators help in maintaining species diversity in a community.
• C. Totally unrelated species never compete for the same resource.
• D. Closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely even if the resources are unlimited.
• A. Pisaster (starfish) and some invertebrates
• B. Abingdon tortoise and goats
• C. Sea anemone and clown fish
• D. Flamingo and resident fishes
• A. Mosquito
• B. Cuckoo
• C. Cuscuta
• D. Ticks
• A. Parasitism
• B. Competition
• C. Predation
• D. Commensalism
• A. Sigmoid shaped growth curve
• B. J-shaped growth curve
• C. Verhulst-Pearl logistic growth
• D. Logistic Growth

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Predators play a crucial role in maintaining species diversity by controlling prey populations, preventing any single species from becoming overly dominant, thus supporting ecosystem balance.

Answer 2

The relationship between the sea anemone and clownfish exemplifies commensalism, where the clownfish gains protection among the anemone’s stinging tentacles, while the anemone is unaffected, benefitting one without affecting the other.

Answer 3

The cuckoo is a brood parasite, relying on other bird species to raise its young by laying eggs in their nests. It differs from true parasites, which directly feed on their hosts, like mosquitoes, Cuscuta, and ticks.

Answer 4

In competition, the presence of another species lowers the fitness (r-value) of one or both species as they vie for similar resources. This interaction can reduce their growth rate due to resource limitation.

Answer 5

The J-shaped growth curve represents exponential growth without accounting for environmental resistance or carrying capacity, making it unrealistic for natural populations. Realistic growth models, like the logistic growth curve, consider environmental constraints.