Special Relationships between organisms Symbiosis Although all organisms interact on some level with everything else on the planet some organisms form very strong and unique relationships with each other due greatly to co-evolution Special Relationships between organisms

What is a symbiotic relationship? Two species living together Species: Groups of similar individuals who mate and produce, fertile offspring Types of symbiotic relationships: Predation Competition Parasitism Commensalism Mutualism Reminder: species relationship remain the same regardless of scale…

Variable triplefin eating a common What is Predation? One species, the predator, eats the other species, the prey. Example: Bobcat eating a rabbit Variable triplefin eating a common triplefin. This is a Negative – to a positive + relationship

What is Competition? Two species competing for the same resources to survive Example: Two species of owls competing for same habitat VS This is a Negative – to a negative -- relationship

What happens when two species are competing for the same resources in the same environment…. 1. One species becomes extinct OR 2. species evolve to encompass different niches (set of resources)

What is Parasitism? One species (parasite) takes nourishment from another species (host), while weakening the host Example: Tapeworm in mammal’s intestine Rat tapeworm This is a Negative – to a positive + relationship

What is Commensalism? Sea urchin spikes provide protection. One benefits in some way, while the other species is in no way effected. Example: Goby (fish) in spine of sea urchins. Sea urchin provides protection. This is a Positive + to a Neutral 0 relationship

What is Mutualism? This is a positive + to a positive + relationship Sea anemone tentacles provide protection. Both species benefit from the relationship Example: Boxer crab carries anemones in its claws. Anemones - protection from predator Boxer crab - provides food particles This is a positive + to a positive + relationship

Mutualism Commensalism Organism One Organism Two

Parasitism Competition Predation Organism One Organism Two

Species relationships are there regardless of scale – both parasites "stinking corpse lily" (Rafflesia arnoldii) the world's largest flower. This remarkable Malaysian/Indonesian endo- parasite lives completely within its host vine, and occasionally breaks through the bark as a huge bud that expands into an enormous blossom up to 3 feet  MALARIA – this is a blood parasite transmitted by mosquitoes that affects red blood cells.

What symbiotic relationship is this? Acacia Plant & Ants parasitism The ants lay eggs on acacia tree so they get a nice safe place for their eggs. The acacia covers the infected area with brown flesh (called a gall.) The plant has to use valuable resources to create the gall. What symbiotic relationship is this?

Goby and Alpheid Shrimp This alpheid shrimp (on the right) uses its strong claws like a bulldozer to create a burrow in the sand. The shrimp is nearly blind. It relies upon its partner, the sharp-eyed goby, to warn of danger. When a potential predator approaches, both animals disappear quickly into the burrow mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Snow Leopard and Rabbit

What symbiotic relationship is this? Anemone & Anemone Fish This fish lives its entire adult life among the tentacles of a bulb- tentacle sea anemone. Anemone fish do not get stung by the anemone as would most other fish so they get protection from predators. The fish often drop food scraps which the anemones can eat. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Hummingbird Moth & Flower mutualism This hummingbird moth is drinking the nectar of a flower. The flower gets pollinated (the moth brings pollen from other flowers) and the moth gets a tasty meal. What symbiotic relationship is this?

What symbiotic relationship is this? Lichen Lichen is really two organisms: algae and fungus. The fungus needs food but cannot make it. The algae makes food but needs some way to keep moist. The fungus forms a crust around the algae which holds in moisture. Both organisms benefit. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Two Wolves: 1 Alpha Spot

What symbiotic relationship is this? Loa Loa Worm & Human This worm infects human the blood stream and gets a nice warm safe home there. The human may go blind or have other complications as a result. parasitism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Humans and the bacteria in their intestine  certain kind of bacteria lives in the intestines of humans and many other animals. The human cannot digest all of the food that it eats. The bacteria eat the food that the human cannot digest and partially digest it, allowing the human to finish the job. The bacteria benefit by getting food, and the human benefits by being able to digest the food it eats. mutualism

What symbiotic relationship is this? Shark & Remora The remora attaches itself to the shark and saves energy since it doesn’t have to swim, and it gets to snack on the sharks kills. The shark doesn’t get anything. commensalism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Emperor Shrimp & Sea Cucumber This tiny emperor shrimp is riding along on the back of a sea cucumber (a long worm-like starfish relative) while it crawls along a sandy bottom. The shrimp gets to travel around under the protection of its much larger partner, and the sea cucumber doesn't seem to mind. commensalism What symbiotic relationship is this?

The Chital and the Tree-pie The tree-pies help the chital by stripping the dead velvet from the antlers. This provides them with nourishment Therefore both species are benefiting from this symbiotic behavior. What symbiotic relationship is this? mutualism

Moray Eel & Cleaner Fish This moray eel has a small fish cleaning between its teeth. The eel gets a clean mouth while the cleaner fish gets a nice meal. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

What symbiotic relationship is this? Cattle & Cattle Egrets As these cattle walk around eating grass they stir up lots of insects. The egrets hang around and get a yummy meal of insects. commensalism What symbiotic relationship is this?

What symbiotic relationship is this? Bedbugs Bedbugs are small, nocturnal insects that come out of hiding at night to feed on unsuspecting humans.  They feed exclusively on blood!  Their bites often result in an allergic reaction. What symbiotic relationship is this? parasitism

Wrasse & Batfish Can you see the two cleaner wrasses are removing parasites from a batfish? One of the wrasses has entered the gill slit of the batfish, and may even enter its mouth in search of food. The batfish gets a bath and the wrasse gets a meal. What symbiotic relationship is this? mutualism

What symbiotic relationship is this? Clown Fish & Anemone This clown fish swims in the anemone and gets protection, since its predators will get stung. The anemone is unaffected. What symbiotic relationship is this? commensalism

What symbiotic relationship is this? Antelope & Ox Bird This ox bird hangs out on the antelope and gets a delicious meal of bugs living on the antelope. The antelope gets rid of parasites. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Oak Gall Wasps and Oak Trees The oak gall wasp stings the oak tree. the tree then grows a GALL which is a nest for the wasp’s babies. When the larva hatch, they eat their way out of the gall. Does not help or hurt the oak tree What symbiotic relationship is this? commensalism

What symbiotic relationship is this? Otters and Kelp The otters help the kelp by eating the sea urchins which endanger it. The kelp provides and anchor for the otters while they sleep. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

What symbiotic relationship is this? Mistletoe and tree Mistletoe is an aerial plant that has no roots of its own and lives off the tree that it attaches itself to. Without that tree it would die. It slowly chokes out the life of the host tree. What symbiotic relationship is this? parasitism

Review What is a symbiotic relationship? What is predation? What is competition? What is parasitism? What is commensalism? What is mutualism?