When two species can very well ignore each other totally, each remaining perfectly neutral and causing no advantage or inconvenience to its neighbour, the relationship is termed as
[amp_mcq option1=”commensalism” option2=”amensalism” option3=”symbiosis” option4=”mutualism” correct=”option3″]
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The description “When two species can very well ignore each other totally, each remaining perfectly neutral and causing no advantage or inconvenience to its neighbour” precisely defines the ecological relationship known as **Neutralism (0/0)**. However, Neutralism is not provided as an option. Among the given choices, Symbiosis is a broad term referring to a close and long-term interaction between two different biological organisms. While modern ecological definitions of symbiosis typically include interactions that have a defined effect on at least one partner (mutualism +/+, commensalism +/0, parasitism +/-), the word ‘symbiosis’ literally means “living together”. In a very broad, potentially outdated or simplified interpretation, it could be argued that species co-existing neutrally are still “living together”. Given that none of the specific interaction types (commensalism, amensalism, mutualism) fit the description of neutrality, and Symbiosis is the only option that refers to species sharing space, it is the most likely intended answer, despite the ecological inaccuracy of classifying neutralism as a type of symbiosis in modern terminology.
– The described relationship (0/0 effect) is called Neutralism.
– Neutralism is not listed as an option.
– Commensalism (+/0), Amensalism (0/-), and Mutualism (+/+) describe specific interactive effects, none of which are neutral for both parties.
– Symbiosis refers to a close and long-term relationship of “living together”.