The relationship between the corals (oculina arbuscula) and crabs (mithrax forceps) studied by j. stachowicz is an example of

This relationship is an example of mutualism. Mutualism occurs when two organisms benefit from one another in their existence together. The corals exist on reefs and are near certain types of seaweed that they would need removed. The crabs hide within the corals and actually remove the seaweed for the corals. This demonstrates mutualism as both work together to exist in a mutually beneficial relationship.