Which of the following is an example of a commensalism?

cattle egrets eating insects stirred up by grazing bison fungi residing in plant roots, such as endomycorrhizae rancher ants that protect aphids in exchange for sugar-rich honeydew bacteria fixing nitrogen on the roots of some plants

The correct answer is option (A) cattle egrets eating insects stirred up by grazing bison.

The cattle egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron and are white birds normally found sitting on the back of the cattle. They often accompany cattle or other mammals catching insects and small vertebrate prey which are disturbed by these animals. It is one of the popular examples of commensalism. It is a type of relationship in which one organism benefits from the relationship without harming the other organism. Cattle egret follow grazing cattle and eat flies which are dislodged by the movement of the livestock. They eat up the insects hiding in the vegetation closer to the grounds, which get stirred up when the cattle or grazing bison walk through them.

Ans.

Commensalism is a type of biological interaction between two organisms, which is beneficial for one organism and neutral for other. Cattle egrets show commensalism with grazing animals as they feed on bugs and insects are found in these animals. The egrets get benefit from this, but the cattle do not get affected.

Thus, the correct answer is 'option). cattle egrets eating insects stirred up by grazing bison.'