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Multiple Choice
Which type of ecological relationship is formed when a hawk moth visits a petunia flower to feed on its nectar?
A
Commensalism
B
Mutualism
C
Parasitism
D
Competition
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of ecological relationships: Ecological relationships describe interactions between organisms in an ecosystem. The main types are mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and competition.
Define mutualism: Mutualism is a type of ecological relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction. For example, a pollinator and a flowering plant both gain advantages.
Analyze the interaction: When a hawk moth visits a petunia flower to feed on its nectar, the moth benefits by obtaining food (nectar), and the flower benefits because the moth helps with pollination by transferring pollen.
Compare with other options: Commensalism involves one organism benefiting while the other is unaffected. Parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the expense of the other. Competition involves organisms vying for the same resource, which negatively impacts both. None of these fit the described interaction.
Conclude that the correct ecological relationship is mutualism, as both the hawk moth and the petunia flower benefit from their interaction.