Category Plants & Animals

What is the symbiotic relationship between oxpecker and ant?

Oxpeckers are birds that eat ticks, flies and other insects from cattle and other grazing mammals. The oxpecker receives nourishment, and the animal that it grooms receives pest control. Oxpeckers are birds that are commonly found on the sub-Saharan African savanna. They can often be seen sitting on buffalo, giraffes, impalas, and other large mammals. In addition to parasite and pest removal, oxpeckers will also alert the herd to the presence of predators by giving a loud warning call.
Despite their vampiric tendencies, the oxpecker does have qualities that benefit its mammalian hosts.  As well as eating ticks and other external parasites, the oxpecker acts as a watchman for the mammals on which it happens to be situated. When danger approaches, a hissing call warns its host to a potential and nearby predatory threat thus allowing the host ample opportunity to either fight or flee.

 

 

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What kind of relationship would a sea anemone and a clownfish have?

Clownfish live within the protective tentacles of the sea anemone. In return, the sea anemone receives cleaning and protection.

Sea anemones are attached to rocks in their aquatic habitats and catch prey by stunning them with their poisonous tentacles. Clownfish are immune to the anemone’s poison and actually live within its tentacles. Clownfish clean the anemone’s tentacles keeping them free from parasites. They also act as bait by luring fish and other prey within striking distance of the anemone. The sea anemone provides protection for the clownfish, as potential predators stay away from its stinging tentacles.

 

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What type of symbiotic relationship do the ants and aphids have?

Some ant species herd aphids in order to have a constant supply of honeydew that the aphids produce. In exchange, the aphids are protected by the ants from other insect predators. Some ant species farm aphids and other insects that feed on sap. The ants herd the aphids along the plant, protecting them from potential predators and moving them to prime locations for acquiring sap. The ants then stimulate the aphids to produce honeydew droplets by stroking them with their antennae. In this symbiotic relationship, the ants are provided with a constant food source, while the aphids receive protection, and shelter.

The bullhorn acacia tree that is native to Mexico, has leaves which lack essential bitter compounds that protect a tree from grazing animals or insects. Ants which live within the hollowed-out horns of the tree (called the bullhorn acacia ants) mount a speedy attack against any animal or insect that tries to harm the tree. The ants are rewarded for their services by the tree with food. In such ‘symbiotic’ relationships, two organisms of different species have intertwined lifestyles.

 

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What type of relationship exists between pollinators and plants?

Insects and animals play a vital role in the pollination of flowering plants. While the pollinator receives nectar or fruit from the plant, it also collects and transfers pollen in the process. Flowering plants rely heavily on insects and other animals for pollination. Bees and other insects are lured to plants by the fragrance secreted from their flowers. When the insects collect nectar, they become covered in pollen. As the insects travel from plant to plant, they deposit the pollen from one plant to another. Other animals also participate in a symbolic relationship with plants. Birds and mammals eat fruit and distribute the seeds to other locations where the seeds can germinate.

 

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Is wildlife in danger?

Many of us have a favourite wild animal, such as a tiger or bear.

But did you know that many wild animals and plants are now rare? Some may soon die out.

People are causing this problem. We hunt animals and destroy wild places.

Luckily, some groups are working to save rare plants and animals. We can all help.

Bison and many butterflies are rarer than they used to be.

Extinct animals and plants are ones that have died out altogether. Wildlife that is very rare is called endangered.

Endangered animals may be large like a bison, or small creatures like a butterfly. Hunters almost wiped out the bison. Many butterflies are threatened by global warming as well as by people destroying the wild places where they live.

Dinosaurs died out long ago.

A species is a particular type of plant or animal, such as the American bison. Extinction is when all the animal or plants of one type die out, so that none are left.

In the past, many species have died out, often because they couldn’t cope with natural changes. The dinosaurs probably died out after a meteorite struck Earth and made conditions change very quickly. Now global warming is making conditions change quickly, too.

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How we can help the wildlife which is currently in danger?

We must do more to protect nature. Experts say thousands of plants and animals may die out in the next fifty years or so.

Loss of wild habitats, global warming and pollution are all big problems in many places.

People all over the world are now working hard to save rare species. But it can only work if we all help.

Conservation groups help to save rare species such as whales.

Campaign groups such as the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have helped to save many rare species. Greenpeace helped to convince many countries to ban whaling, in order to save whales from extinction.

Everyone can help with conservation work by joining a wildlife organisation. You could take part in a sponsored walk to raise money for your favourite animal.

In China, people are working to save pandas.

In China, giant pandas are in danger of dying out because of loss of their forest habitat. Only 1,000 of these animals remain.

Twelve forest reserves have been set up to save pandas in the wild. Zoos have also managed to breed baby pandas from captive animals. Captive breeding projects like this are very expensive, so they can only help to save a few species.

A ban on hunting protects this beautiful butterfly.

In the 1970s, many governments signed an agreement called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

CITES bans trade in most wild animals including this birdwing butterfly. Sadly the profits that can be made from wildlife are big and many people ignore the law.

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