Symbiotic Relationships in Nature

Symbiotic Relationships Symbiosis- two species living together 3 Types of symbiosis: 1. Commensalism 2. Parasitism 3. Mutualism Cleaning shrimp

Commensalism Commensalism is a relationship between two living organisms where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Symbiotic Relationships Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped Ex. orchids on a tree Epiphytes: A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a bromeliad, that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. Also called xerophyte, air plant.

The clownfish lives among the forest of tentacles of an anemone and is protected from potential predators.

Some birds live among cattle to eat the insects stirred up as they walk. One example are egrets who hunt for insects near a grazing animal's mouth.

One animal attaching itself to another for transportation such as barnacles attach to shells or whales or a shrimp riding on a sea slugs. shrimp riding on a sea slug barnacles on whale’s tail and clam

One species uses a second organism for housing such as small mammals or birds that lives in holes in trees or orchids which live in trees. Orchid in rainforest Venezuela

Parasitism One organism, usually physically smaller of the two (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed

Symbiotic Relationships Parasitism- one species benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host) Parasite-Host relationship

Ticks and fleas that live in a host animal's fur bite the animal and drink its blood are parasites.

Insects such as mosquitoes feeding on a host are parasites.

Vines such as Kudzu growing on Trees

Tomato Hornworm with Wasp Eggs

Tapeworm or Hookworms living in Host's Gut

Symbiotic Relationships Parasitism- parasite-host Ex. lampreys, leeches, fleas, ticks, tapeworm

The roots of the Owl Clover are partly parasitic on the roots of other desert wildflowers.

Mutualism Both species benefit from the interaction.

Symbiotic Relationships Mutualism- beneficial to both species Ex. cleaning birds and cleaner shrimp The Egyptian plover takes insects from the backs of buffaloes, giraffes and rhinos. The plover has also been observed taking leeches from the open mouths of crocodiles! In this association the plover receives a supply of food and the other animal rids itself of unwelcome pests

Flowers and their Pollinators (examples:  Bees and hummingbirds gather nectar and spread pollen.)

Birds and mammals eat berries and fruits while the plant benefits by the dispersal of it seeds.

Algae and Fungi > Lichen - Alga gets water and nutrients from the fungus and the fungus gets food from the algae.

Cleaners eat insect pests from the skin of animals Cleaners eat insect pests from the skin of animals. (ex: Egyptian plover cleans giraffes and buffaloes)

Many herbivores such as cows, sheep, deer, horses and rabbits depend on bacteria that live in their stomachs to break down the plant material.

Coral Reefs- The corals get food and the algae get protection.

= 1 species Type of relationship Species harmed Species benefits Species neutral Commensalism Parasitism Mutualism = 1 species

Predation one eats another (Herbivores eat plants. Carnivores eats animals.)