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Jenna F 1/15/14

5 Types of Symbiotic Relationships

Mutualism: a symbiotic relationship between individuals or different species in which both individuals benefit from the association -One example of mutualism is the relationship between the algae and the spider crab.The algae lives on the backs of the spider crabs, helping the crabs to blend in with their environment and providing them with protection from predators. Both the spider crabs and the algae benefit because the algae has a place to live and the crabs can camouflage with their environment and be better protected from predators.

-Another example of a mutualistic relationship is between the crocodile and the plover bird.When the crocodile has food stuck in its teeth, the plover bird goes inside the crocodiles mouth and picks out the bits of food. The plover bird gets a meal and the crocodiles teeth are now clean and free from infections.

Parasitism: a form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed -The heartworm and the dog have a parasitic relationship.The heartworm feeds off the blood of the dog and gets to reproduce in an environment with no predators. This is parasitism because the heartworm benefits and the dog is harmed from this relationship.

-Another example of parasitism is the relationship between the ocean sunfish and its many parasites. The ocean sunfish is host to many parasitic species in the ocean such as flatworms, roundworms, and sea lice. These parasites are found on the body of the sunfish as well as inside its body. However, ocean sunfish deal with this problem by coming to the ocean surface and allowing birds to feed on the parasites. This is parasitism because the ocean sunfish is harmed, but the parasites benefit.

Commensalism: a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected -An example of a commensalistic relationship is between tigers and golden jackals. Golden jackals who have strayed from their pack will attack themselves to a certain tiger to feed on the tigers kills. Tigers are known to tolerate these jackals and are generally unaffected by the golden jackals.

-Another example of a commensalistic relationship is between cattle egrets and livestock. Cattle egrets are often found foraging in fields among cattle and other livestock. As the livestock graze on the field, insects are stirred up that the cattle egrets can eat. The livestock are unaffected in this relationship.

Predation: a symbiotic relationship in which one organism is a predator that feeds on the other organism, called the prey -Archerfish squirt powerful jets of water o knock insects off of low branches or hanging plants. The archerfish is the predator and the insects are the prey.

-Salamanders use their sticky tongue to capture and consume insects. The salamander is the predator and the insects are the prey.

Competition: a symbiotic relationship in which two organisms, which may or may not be the same species -Cheetahs and lions are species that feed on similar prey. They have to compete for the prey and sometimes end up stealing the other species prey that they have killed. They can also sometimes fight for territory.

-In southern California, coyotes often kill and eat gray foxes and bobcats. These coyotes have to compete with each other for food.