Question

Which is an accurate example of metabiosis?

Options

• A cattle egret feeding near grazing cattle

• An orchid growing on a mango tree branch

• A remora fish attaching to a shark's body

• A hermit crab using an empty gastropod shell as a home

Answer 1

A hermit crab using an empty gastropod shell as shelter exemplifies metabiosis perfectly. The hermit crab benefits from a structure that was originally created and inhabited by the gastropod. Once the gastropod vacates or dies, the hermit crab occupies the shell, benefiting from an environment modified by another organism.