Name ANSWER KEY

Species Interactions Worksheet

Use the symbols below to describe the effects on each organism in the type of species interaction.

+ (organism benefits) – (organism is harmed) 0 (organism not harmed/benefited)

Interaction Organism #1 Organism #2

1. Parasitism + -
2. Predation + -
3. Competition + +/- /0
4. Mutualism + +
5. Commensalism + 0

6. How can two individuals compete without ever coming in contact with each other?
Species can compete even if they never come into direct contact with each other. For
example, suppose that one insect feeds on a certain plant during they day and that another
species feeds on the same plant during the night.

7. What are some things that make up your niche?

Some descriptions of the organism's life history, habitat, and place in the food chain.
According to the competitive exclusion principle, no two species can occupy the
same niche in the same environment for a long time.

Determine whether each scenario describes a case of parasitism, predation, mutualism, or

commensalism. In COMPLETE SENTENCES, explain the reasoning behind each choice.

8. The shrimp is immune to the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone. By hiding
in the sea anemone, the shrimp is protected from predators.

Interaction: commensalism
shrimp gets protection from predators
sea anemone not affect by shrimp

9. As they graze, cattle stir up insects, which are eaten by the cattle egrets.

Interaction: commensalism
cattle gets fed
Egrets gets fed
10. The tapeworm attaches to the intestinal wall of the dog and takes nutrients
consumed by the dog.

Interaction: parasitism
tapeworm gets nutrients; dog is harmed; less nutrients for itself

11. The ant burrows into a thorn of the acacia tree to live and eat sugar secreted
by the tree. The ants benefit the tree by attacking predators.

Interaction: mutualism
ant gets a shelter and food (sugar)
tree gets protection from predators (ants protect)

12. The cleaner fish feeds on parasites in the shark's mouth and gills.

Interaction: mutualism
cleaner fish gets food (parasites)
shark is removed of potentially harmful parasites

13. The tick burrows into the cow's skin to suck blood.

Interaction: parasitism
tick gets food (blood) and
nutrients
cow loses blood

14. The Komodo dragon bites a water buffalo to inject it with venom. About 1 week
later, the water buffalo dies of poisoning and is eaten by the Komodo dragon.

Interaction: predation
Komodo dragon attacks buffalo initially (bites, injects
venom);
water buffalo dies eventually

15. Lone golden jackals often follow tigers to feed on the tiger’s kills once the
tiger has finished eating.

Interaction: commensalism
golden jackals get food they didn't have to hunt
tiger did not affected by jackals presence