Question

Many animals, including the brittle star and snapping shrimp, make their homes inside sea sponges. Here, the animals not only find safe shelter, but also have a constant flow of well-oxygenated water, and may even eat the substance produced by the sponges. The sponges are not affected in any way by the presence of these animals. Which type of relationship does this represent?

Answer 1

Commensalism: because it is a relationship which is beneficial to one organism, and offers neither harm nor any benefit to the other. In this example, the brittle star and snapping shrimp benefit in several ways. The sponge receives neither harm nor benefit from the relationship.

Answer 2

Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms in which one organism receives benefits from another organism and the other organism is not affected (does not benefit and is not harmed). From the question given above, brittle star and snapping shrimp benefits from sea sponges while the sea sponges are not affected in any way by the presence of these animals. This type of relationship represents commensalism.