Living Together: Community Interactions
Symbiosis “Sym—biosis” = “Together—Living” Definition: Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species.
Who Benefits? Sometimes a symbiotic relationship benefits both species, sometimes one species benefits at the other's expense, and in some cases neither species benefits.
Types of Interactions Commensalism, Mutualsim, Interspecific Competition, Predation, and Parasitism are all examples of symbiotic relationships.
Neutral Relationship Neither species benefits from the interaction
Commensalism One species benefits, the other is unaffected
Mutualism Both species benefit from the interaction
Interspecific Competition Neither species benefits from the interaction
Predation One species (predator) directly harms the other (prey)
Parasitism One species benefits (parasite), the other is harmed (host).
Type of Interaction Effect on Species 1 Effect on Species 2 Neutral relationship 00 Commensalism +0 Mutualism ++ Interspecific Competition -- Predation +- Parasitism +- Table of Interactions