Symbiosis Overview

Types of Symbiosis Mutualism: both organisms benefit Commensalism: one benefits, the other is not affected Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed (host)

Relationships Develop from Niches Niche: what an organisms does or its role in the environment Terrestrial & Aquatic relationships Natures Way: Organisms are assisting or using one another Predator-Prey; not symbiosis {helps balance population densities}

Partnerships are not helpful to everyone Parasites: such as; ticks, mites, mosquitoes, leeches, fleas, lice, hookworms, tapeworms Ex: Ticks & Flea

Leeches, Bed Bugs & Mites                                 Bed bugs Leeches, Bed Bugs & Mites

Parasitic Worms #1 = Hook worm #2 = Tapeworm { longest parasite; millions of eggs /day } #3 = Tapeworm embedded into intestine #4 = Roundworm { up to 20 inches; 200,000eggs/day}

Commensalism in Plants Epiphytes: grow upon another plant for support Example: Spanish mosses, ferns, cacti, orchids, bromeliads Ex: Spanish Moss & Bromeliad together

Parasitic Plants Mistletoe; takes some nutrients from trees

Aquatic Commensalism Barnacles {animal} on whales They are filter feeders that do not harm whales

Insect / Plant Commensalism Spider web on plants

Commensalism in Fish Remora {sucker fish} & Sharks Remora gets protection, transportation, & scraps of food from its host

“Cleaner Fish” A Mutual Relationship Take off parasites / dead skin {scales} Gobies, wrasses, cleaner shrimp

Mutual Relationship Blind Shrimp & Shrimp Goby Shrimp digs the home, Goby keeps an eye out

An Animal & an Algae Coral { Animal } lives w/ photosynthetic algae {Zooanthellae } for most of its nutrients. What kind of relationship?

What’s inside a Termite? All termites eat cellulose { plant fiber } There is a symbiotic protozoa inside the termite that digests the wood fiber with the help of symbiotic bacteria on the protozoa. What kind of relationship?

An Algae & a Fungi Lichen; The algae conducts photosynthesis {nutrients}, fungi provides the home. What kind of relationship?