Symbiosis

Symbiosis Relationship or association between different organisms Three types: Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Mutualism Positive-positive (++) Both species benefit from the relationship

The cleaner shrimp removes food, dead skin, and harmful organisms from the moray eel’s mouth

Mutualism

The clownfish receives protection from the sea anemone, while the clownfish lures fish for the sea anemone.

Mutualism

An oxpecker sits on the antelope and eats insects that live on the antelope

Mutualism

Commensalism Positive-Neutral (+ N) One organism benefits while the other is not effected

The barnacles live on the bodies of whales and receive nutrients from the waters where whales travel. The whales are unaffected by these crustaceans.

Commensalism

The remora shark attaches to larger sharks with a suction disk attached to their heads. The larger shark is unaffected.

Commensalism

Parasitism Positive-Negative (+-) One species benefits while the other species is harmed

The tick attaches to the dog and feeds off of the dog’s blood.

Parasitism

The mistletoe attaches to a mangrove tree and removes nutrients from the tree’s bark.

Parasitism

The cowbird kicks the eggs out of another bird’s nest and lays it’s own eggs in the nest for another bird to raise.

Parasitism