Many animals, including the brittle star and snapping shrimp, make their homes inside sea sponges.

Question

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? (1 point)
• parasitism
• predator/prey
• mutualism
• commensalism

Answer 1

This relationship represents mutualism, where both the sea sponge and the animals living in it benefit from the association.