Which of the following is not an example of exploitation?

• A. A roundworm living inside a dog's intestine, taking nutrients from the dog while harming it in the process.
• B. A giraffe eating leaves off a tree.
• C. A robin swooping down to eat an earthworm.
• D. These are all examples of exploitation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of exploitation in ecological terms. Exploitation refers to interactions where one organism benefits at the expense of another, often involving predation, parasitism, or herbivory.
2. Analyze the first example: A roundworm living inside a dog's intestine. This is a classic case of parasitism, where the roundworm benefits by obtaining nutrients from the dog, while the dog is harmed. This fits the definition of exploitation.
3. Examine the second example: A giraffe eating leaves off a tree. This is an example of herbivory, where the giraffe benefits by consuming the leaves for nutrition, potentially harming the tree by reducing its foliage. This also fits the definition of exploitation.
4. Consider the third example: A robin swooping down to eat an earthworm. This is an example of predation, where the robin benefits by consuming the earthworm, which is harmed in the process. This is another form of exploitation.
5. Conclude that all given examples involve one organism benefiting at the expense of another, thus all are examples of exploitation. Therefore, the statement 'These are all examples of exploitation' is correct.