Question

Which kind of interaction, species A is showing with species B, C and D :

A. Mutualism
B. Proto-cooperation
C. Parasitism
D. Commensalism

Answer 1

In an ecological community, there are all the populations of all the different species that survive together in a particular area and the interactions between those different species in an ecosystem are known as interspecific interactions or biological interactions.

Complete answer:
Biological interactions can be defined as an interaction effect of a pair of organisms living together in an ecological community that has on each other. This pair may be either of the same species then it will be called intraspecific interactions, or of different species then it will be called interspecific interactions. Interactions can occur indirectly, through intermediaries such as shared resources or common enemies.
Different types of biological interactions show different effects on the two species and the effect can be positive (+), negative (-), or neutral (0). There are mainly five kinds of interactions found in an ecological community and those are competition (-/-), predation (+/-), mutualism, (+/+), commensalism (+/0), and parasitism (+/-).
Mutualism is a type of interaction between two or more organisms and the organism dependent on each other. These organisms provide mutual benefits to each other. So, it is depicted as a (+/+) relationship or interaction. In the given figure, the species A is showing a mutualism relationship as it shows a positive interaction with the other species such as B, C and D.
Commensalism is a kind of long-term relationship. In this case, there is a close association between two species and one organism gets the benefit while the other remains unaffected. So, it is depicted as a (+/0) interaction.
Parasitism is also a type of long-term relationship and in this relationship of two organisms, one is benefited and the other is affected and this is depicted as a (+/-) interaction.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: There are different types of organisms and species found in an ecological community and their pattern of interaction with each other is known as biological interaction. Based on the different patterns of their interaction, biological interaction can be classified into five patterns which are competition (-/-), predation (+/-), mutualism, (+/+), commensalism (+/0), and parasitism (+/-). In the given figure of the question it shows the mutualism relationship where both the organisms depend on each other and both provide mutual benefits to each other.