Symbiosis and Symbiotic Relationships ©2014HappyEdugator

A close relationship that Symbiosis A close relationship that benefits at least one of the species in the relationship. Literal translation: living together ©2014HappyEdugator

Symbiosis Three types: Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism ©2014HappyEdugator

Symbiosis The three types of symbiosis often overlap. Generally, scientists classify the relationships between organisms based on the most obvious traits. Commensalism Parasitism Mutualism Is the fish just hitchhiking? (commensalism) Is the fish cleaning the shark while it is being protected from predators? (mutualism) Is the fish feasting on shark blood? (parasitism) ©2014HappyEdugator

Mutualism A relationship in which both species benefit. Example: Bees and Flowers Bees rely on the flower for a food source. The flower benefits because the bee picks up pollen and transports it to another flower. This aids in the reproduction of the plant. ©2014HappyEdugator

Another example: Cleaner shrimp cleaning a zebra moray eel. Mutualistic relationships such as these promote the well-being of the host fishes and provide food for those that do the cleaning. ©2014HappyEdugator

Commensalism A relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither helped or harmed. Example: Barnacles adhere to the skin of a whale or scallop : (Barnacles are crustaceans whose adults are sedentary and will attach anywhere) The barnacle benefits from the relationship and does not harm nor help its host. ©2014HappyEdugator

Commensalism Pure commensalism is usually harder to find in nature because upon examination you often find that both species do benefit in some way. However, it’s not obvious at first glance. Example: As a large beetle spreads its wings to fly, a teeny tiny hitchhiker is seen going for a free ride. The pseudoscorpion, spider-like and very tiny, often gets around by hiding under the wing covers of large beetles. Not only does it get a lift to a new destination, but it gains protection from predators as well. As far as we can tell, the beetle gets no benefit from carrying around this stowaway. The pseudoscorpion gains all the advantage in this relationship. ©2014HappyEdugator

Other Examples: The cattle egret feeds on insects stirred up by the herds of livestock in the fields. The livestock generally do not benefit from this… BUT…they have been seen feeding on ticks as they perch on the backs of the livestock. The anemone fish lives among the forest of tentacles of an anemone and is protected from potential predators that are not immune to the sting of the anemone. ©2014HappyEdugator

Inside parasites (endoparasite): tapeworms and hookworms. Parasitism A relationship in which one organism lives on or inside another and as the one benefits, the other is harmed. Examples: Outside parasites (ectoparasite): fleas, and ticks. hookworm Inside parasites (endoparasite): tapeworms and hookworms. flea tapeworms tick ©2014HappyEdugator

Example: Parasite Sea Lamprey: These primitive fish attach to the bodies of native fish and feed on the fish's body fluids. ©2014HappyEdugator

Another Parasitism Example This tomato hornworm is covered with cocoons of pupating braconid wasps. The wasp causes the tomato hornworm to die as it pupates. ©2014HappyEdugator

Yet another example: brood parasitism The cowbird will lay its eggs in other birds nests. These eggs usually hatch a day earlier than the host eggs. The baby cowbirds take over the nest and aggressively take food meant for the offspring of the host. ©2014HappyEdugator

Thank you and happy teaching! Deborah Hayes Aka HappyEdugator Thank you for downloading my Symbiosis: Symbiotic Relationships PowerPoint. I hope that you enjoy the resource and get a lot of use out of it. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. My email address is happyedug8r@msn.com Commercial Graphics used with permission from the following: Microsoft Design, GraphicStock.com For more teaching ideas and freebies, please click on the link to visit my blog! http://www.happyedugator.blogspot.com Also, I would love to have you follow me on Facebook, Google +, Twitter, and Linked-In! Please leave feedback at My TPT Store. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/HappyEdugator Remember, you will earn credits for leaving me feedback which goes toward any future TPT purchases. Thank you and happy teaching! Deborah Hayes Aka HappyEdugator ©2014HappyEdugator