Which statement correctly matches the four major types of species interactions with an example?

• A. Mutualism — pollination; Competition — plants for light; Predation — wolves and prey; Parasitism — ticks on mammals
• B. Mutualism — predation; Competition — pollination; Predation — symbiosis; Parasitism — predation
• C. Mutualism — predation; Competition — mutualism; Predation — parasitism; Parasitism — competition
• D. Mutualism — ticks on mammals; Competition — flowers; Predation — bacteria

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is how the four major types of species interactions are defined and illustrated with real examples. Mutualism means both species benefit, so pollination fits perfectly because flowering plants gain successful reproduction while pollinators get nectar. Competition occurs when species vie for the same limited resource, like plants competing for light; both are harmed as growth is limited by access to that resource. Predation describes a predator feeding on prey, benefiting the predator and harming or killing the prey. Parasitism is a longer-term association where the parasite benefits at the host’s expense, such as ticks feeding on mammals.

This mapping is the best choice because each example aligns with the corresponding interaction type: pollination is mutualistic, plants competing for light illustrates competition, wolves and their prey show predation, and ticks on mammals demonstrate parasitism. Other options mix up these relationships, pairing interactions in ways that don’t fit the standard definitions (for example, labeling predation or parasitism as something they are not).