Q.Identify the A, B, C and D in the given table
Interaction / Effects on species X / Effects on species Y
Mutualism — A (+)
B (+) (-)
Competition (-) — C
D (-) 0
[Answer choices, as printed in the source, whose cells could not be reliably realigned to the A/B/C/D table above:]
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Step 1. Solve for A (the Mutualism row). Mutualism is defined as an interaction in which BOTH species benefit, i.e. the sign pattern is (+, +). Since the printed effect on species Y is already '(+)', the missing effect on species X, labelled 'A', must also be '(+)'.
Step 2. Solve for B. Row B's printed effects are '(+)' on X and '(-)' on Y — one species benefits while the other is harmed. Among the interaction names offered across the answer choices (Parasitism, Mutualism, Competition, Amensalism), the one matching a (+, -) sign pattern is Parasitism, where the parasite gains at the host's expense. So B = Parasitism.
Step 3. Solve for C (the Competition row). Competition is defined by BOTH species being harmed, i.e. (-, -). Since the printed effect on X is already '(-)', the missing effect on Y, labelled 'C', must also be '(-)'.
Step 4. Solve for D. Row D's printed effects are '(-)' on X and '0' on Y — one species is harmed while the other is unaffected. This (-, 0) sign pattern is the definition of Amensalism, so D = Amensalism. …
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