Interactions in Ecosystems Ecological Relationships

Biotic Interactions Different organisms interact in different ways: Competition: interaction between two or more organisms that compete for resources Predation: interaction where one organism eats another for energy Symbiosis: interaction where one organism lives in, on or near another organism

Symbiosis in-depth Symbiosis can be broken into three sub- types: Mutualism: both species benefit from the symbiotic partnership (ex. bees and flowers) Commensalism: one species benefits where the other is unaffected (ex. between buffalo and birds) Parasitism: one species benefits, usually at the expense of the other species (ex. ticks, fleas, leaches)

Mutualism The example shows a lichen growing on the trunk of a mangrove tree. The lichen consists of a fungus and an algae growing together. The fungus gets food from the photosynthesising algae and the algae gets a place to live.

Commensalism . This tiny, well-camouflaged clingfish provides a classic example of commensalism. The clingfish gains protection by hiding on its host — a crinoid — while the host is unaffected  

Parasitism All tapeworms spend the adult phase of their lives as parasites in the gut of a vertebrate animal (called the primary host). Most tapeworms spend part of their life cycle in the tissues of one or more other animals (called intermediate hosts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7vIUhaAhMQ

Name that Relationship