Question

Which of the following is an example of phoresy?

Options

• Clownfish living in sea anemone tentacles for protection

• Hermit crabs using empty gastropod shells as homes

• Barnacles on whales gaining free ocean transport

• Orchids growing on mango trees for sunlight support

Answer 1

Barnacles attaching to whales is a clear example of phoresy, the form of commensalism where the commensal (barnacles) uses the host (whale) for transport. The barnacles gain access to plankton-rich waters and free oceanic movement, while the whale is unaffected.