Symbiosis and Symbiotic Relationships 2012HappyEdugator

Our goal for today is to answer these questions: What is symbiosis? What are the different kinds of symbiosis? What are some examples of symbiosis?

A close relationship that Symbiosis A close relationship that benefits at least one of the species in the relationship. Literal translation: living together 2012HappyEdugator

Symbiosis Three types: Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism 2012HappyEdugator

What are the different kinds of symbiosis? Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism both organisms benefit one organism benefits one organism benefits one organism is unaffected one organism is harmed

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) 2012HappyEdugator

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. 2012HappyEdugator

Organism One Organism Two Mutualism Organism One Organism Two

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. 2012HappyEdugator

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 or help its host. 2012HappyEdugator

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. 2012HappyEdugator

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. 2012HappyEdugator

Organism One Organism Two Commensalism Organism One Organism Two

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. hookworm Examples: Outside parasites (ectoparasite): fleas, and ticks. flea Inside parasites (endoparasite): tapeworms and hookworms. tapeworms tick 2012HappyEdugator

Example: Parasite Sea Lamprey: These primitive fish attach to the bodies of native fish and feed on the fish's body fluids. 2012HappyEdugator

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. 2012HappyEdugator

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. 2012HappyEdugator

Organism One Organism Two Parasitism Organism One Organism Two

Which symbiotic relationship is this? Acacia Plant & Ants Stinging ants nest in acacia tree, whose thorns discourage the ants’ predators. The tree also provides ants with food. Ants attack other animals that approach the tree & clear competing plants away from the base of the tree. mutualism Which symbiotic relationship is this?

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

Emperor Shrimp & Sea Cucumber This tiny emperor shrimp is riding along on the back of a sea cucumber. The shrimp gets to travel around under the protection of its much larger partner, and the sea cucumber doesn't seem to mind. commensalism Which symbiotic relationship is this?

Which symbiotic relationship is this? Clown Fish & Anemone This clown fish swims among the sea anemone and gets protection, since its predators will get stung by the sea anemone. The anemone gets prey lured its way. Which symbiotic relationship is this? mutualism

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

Barnacle & the Whale Barnacles regularly colonize the skin of filter-feeding whales, and they often do so in huge numbers — one humpback whale, for instance, can host almost 1,000 pounds of barnacles. 2012HappyEdugator

Which symbiotic relationship is this? 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. Which symbiotic relationship is this? commensalism

Answer each of following questions. Let’s Review Answer each of following questions. What is symbiosis? What are the different kinds of symbiosis? Describe one example of each kind of symbiotic relationship.