A Boxer crab carries a pair of sea anemones in its claws. When predators approach the Boxer crab, it waves the anemones, which presents their stinging tentacles. The Boxer grab gets protection and anemones get the partials of food that are dropped by the crab.
What symbiotic relationship is this?
1 answer
The symbiotic relationship between the Boxer crab and the sea anemones is known as mutualism. In mutualism, both species involved benefit from the interaction. The Boxer crab receives protection from predators through the waving of the stinging tentacles of the sea anemones, and in return, the sea anemones are provided with food particles dropped by the crab.