In the Rain Forests of Panama, Scientists Found a Colony

Multiple Choice

In the rain forests of Panama, scientists found a colony of tree-dwelling black ants where some individuals had red abdomens. When examined, the scientists determined that the ants with red abdomens were infected with roundworm eggs. Birds would prey on these ants, mistaking their red bellies for berries. In the interactions among the tree-dwelling black ants, the roundworms, and the birds, the ants are the_________ for the roundworms.

A) predators
B) parasites
C) hosts
D) mutualists
E) prey