Epiphytes that are growing on a mango branch is an example of which of the following?

The correct answer is Commensalism

Concept:

• Commensalism is a type of ecological interaction where one species benefits, and the other species neither benefits nor is harmed.
• In this interaction, the species that benefits is referred to as the "commensal," while the unaffected species is the "host."
• Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants (such as trees) for physical support but do not extract nutrients or cause harm to the host plant.
• In the given example, epiphytes growing on a mango branch represent commensalism because the epiphytes benefit from the support provided by the mango tree, while the mango tree remains unaffected.
• Barnacles growing on a whale; the barnacles get a place to live and access to food, while the whale is unaffected is another example of Commensalism.

Table: Popular Interactions

Note:

• '+' : Beneficial
• '-' : Detrimental (Harmful)
• '0' : Neutral (Neither benefitted nor harmed)

Explanation of Other Options:

• Mutualism:
  • In mutualism, both species involved in the interaction benefit from each other.
  • For example, pollination is a mutualistic relationship where bees collect nectar (food) from flowers and, in return, help the plant with pollination.
• Predation:
  • Predation involves one species (the predator) hunting, killing, and consuming another species (the prey).
  • For instance, a lion hunting a deer is an example of predation.
• Amensalism:
  • Amensalism is an interaction where one species is harmed, and the other species remains unaffected.
  • For example, the secretion of chemicals by certain fungi that inhibit the growth of nearby plants is an example of amensalism.