Commensalism in the Tropical Rainforest

Which is an example of commensalism in the tropical rainforest?

A. Insects lay eggs in the sloth's waste.
B. Sloths are food for other animals.
C. Algae live in a sloth's fur, providing it with camouflage.
D. Parasites feed on the sloth's body.

Answer: A. Insects lay eggs in the sloth's waste.

Commensalism is a biological interaction, in which two species live in association, in this relationship one species gets the benefit and the other one receives neither harm nor benefit.

Commensalism is a type of ecological relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. In this relationship, one organism, called the commensal, benefits by utilizing the resources or shelter of the other organism, known as the host, without causing any harm or benefit to the host.

The example of commensalism in the tropical rainforest is Algae live in a sloth's fur, providing it with camouflage. Thus, option C is correct.

In commensalism, one species benefits while the other is unaffected. In this case, the algae benefit by having a habitat and protection in the sloth's fur, which also provides camouflage for the sloth. However, the sloth itself is not directly affected by the presence of the algae.

The insects lay eggs in the sloth's waste, utilizing the waste as a shelter and a place for their larvae to develop. This interaction benefits the insects, while the sloth is unaffected by the presence of the eggs in its waste.

Therefore, commensalism in the tropical rainforest can be observed through various interactions, where one species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited.