Question

Tropical leaf cutter ants collect leaf cuttings which they transport to special underground chambers. There, they chew the leaves to create nursery beds on which they grow a species of fungus they use for food. When ant queens disperse to establish new colonies, they carry the fungus with them, dispersing it as well. In the ant nest, the fungus is at risk of being consumed by another fungus species, destroying the ants food supply. On their bodies, the ants carry and provide a home for bacteria that produce a antimicrobial substance that the ants use to kill the parasitic fungi and thereby protect their food supply. What is the most likely relationship between the first fungus described and the ants? mutualism intraspecific competition parasite-host D interspecific competition predator-prey

Answer 1

1)Mutualism

Mutualism is type of population interaction in which both the species living close each other. Neither of the species are harmed form each other. For example the interaction between plants and it pollinators like bee or butterfly where both plants and bees and butterflies get benefited while bees and butterflies helps in pollination by carrying pollen grains form one plant to other the plants provide them with nectar. In the same way the bacteria on the ant get benefitted and gets living place in turn they kill the fungus.

While all other options listed benefit either hosts or parasite like predator and prey only predator gets benefitted by eating on prey and in parasite and host interaction the parasite gets benefitted as it live in host while host is not benefitted.

2)Warning coloration

Warning coloration is seen in animals and insects where many insects and animals change their color on seeing any predator approaching them Some insects and animal changes their color they might be not appealing to them thus they avoid the predator.

While the other option like thick cuticle, flattened body and grasping claws are adaption of parasite all these organs are required to live in a host body.