Type of symbiosis Suppose friendly ants fed on sugary droplets excreted from a caterpillar, but did nothing to help the caterpillar. Assuming that taking the sugar does not hurt the caterpillar, what type of symbiotic relationship is this

Commensalism

Explanation:

All organisms in nature interact with other organisms in different ways. Symbiotic interactions involve a relationship between two or more organisms of different species in which one or all of them turn to be beneficiated by that relationship. These species create permanent mutual dependence.  

Symbiotic interactions include:  

•Amensalism refers to a biological relationship established between two organisms, in which one of them avoids the growth, development, or survival of the other one. In this interaction, one of the organisms seems to be strongly affected by the other one. Meanwhile, the other organism does not seem to be affected at all.  

•Commensalism: In this case, the fitness of only one of the species seems to increase, while the other species is not affected at all, nor positively or negatively. The unaffected species might provide food or refuge to the other species, which is benefited.  

•Parasitism: In this case, one of the species is beneficiated, while the other suffers a consequence, reducing its fitness. These interactions are mainly about nutrition, although there might be other benefits too. Some parasite species might coexist with their host, while some others might get them ill to the point of causing death.  

•Mutualism: The interaction is favorable for both species. Their fitness increases with these interactions, although they do not need this relationship to survive. The degree of benefits might vary among species or might be equal.

The exposed symbiotic example is a commensalism case. The ant is benefited from taking the sugary droplets. Its fitness increases. But ants do not make any harm to the caterpillar. In fact, it has no effect on them at all, no possitive nor negative. The caterpillar´s fitness is not influenced by the ant.

atp is used for energy.