A wildlife photographer took Fig. 1 at a grassland reserve. It shows an oxpecker standing on the back of a buffalo. The bird removes ticks from the buffalo'...
Question 1 Report
A wildlife photographer took Fig. 1 at a grassland reserve. It shows an oxpecker standing on the back of a buffalo. The bird removes ticks from the buffalo's skin and eats them. The buffalo's blood is not taken by the bird in this observation. Both species were seen repeatedly in the same area.
(a) Identify the relationship between the oxpecker and buffalo. [1]
(b) Explain one benefit to the oxpecker. [2]
(c) Explain one benefit to the buffalo. [2]
Answer Details
(a) Mutualism [1] (b) Oxpecker obtains ticks as food [1]; gains energy / nutrients for survival and reproduction [1] (c) Ticks are removed [1]; buffalo loses parasites so has reduced disease risk / less blood loss [1]
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
