Pseudomyrmex ants, such as the one shown below, are only found living on acacia trees. These trees provide the ants with food and shelter. The ants protect the trees from herbivores, which would damage and kill the tree if the ants were not there.
An ant on an acacia tree leaf.
An ant on an acacia tree leaf.
Which statement best describes the relationship between the acacia trees and the ants described above?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) a mutualistic relationship in which both the trees and ants rely on each other for survival
A
a mutualistic relationship in which both the trees and ants rely on each other for survival
(Choice B) a predatory relationship in which the ants rely on the trees as their prey
B
a predatory relationship in which the ants rely on the trees as their prey
(Choice C) a competitive relationship in which the ants out-compete the trees for resources
C
a competitive relationship in which the ants out-compete the trees for resources
A
a mutualistic relationship in which both the trees and ants rely on each other for survival