The following describes the interaction between populations of two distinct species. They could be beneficial, detrimental or neutral (neither harm nor benefit) to one of the species or both. Assigning a ‘+’ sign for beneficial interaction, ‘-’ sign for detrimental and 0 for neutral interaction, let us look at all the possible outcomes of interspecific interactions. Choose the correct option.

A=(-) , B=(0) , C=(-)

The correct answer is option (1) - A=(-) , B=(0) , C=(-)

Depending on the outcome, these interactions between two species are classified as competition (both species suffer).

Parasitism is the association between two organisms in which one organism is benefitted and another organism is harmed.

The interaction where one species is benefitted and the other is neither benefitted nor harmed is called commensalism.

Intercations could be beneficial, detrimental or neutral (neither harm nor benefit) to one of the species or both. Assigning a ‘+’ sign for beneficial interaction, ‘-’ sign for detrimental and 0 for neutral interaction, let us look at all the possible outcomes of interspecific interactions.

Species A                   Species B                                  Name of Interaction 

     +                               +                                           Mutualism

     –                                –                                           Competition

     +                               –                                            Predation

     +                               –                                            Parasitism

     +                               0                                            Commensalism 

     –                                0                                            Amensalism