Relationships in Nature

What is symbiosis?

Two organisms that live together•Temporarily or for a longer time•At least one of the organisms benefits from the relationship

What are the different kinds of symbiosis?

Mutualism ParasitismCommensalism

both organisms benefit

one organism benefits

one organism benefitsone

organism is unaffected

one organism is

harmed

Parasitism

• Causes harm to host

• The parasite benefits, the host is harmed or in some cases killed.

Zombie Caterpillars -Slave Bodyguard

• Glyptapanteles is a wasp that lays its eggs in the body of a caterpillar.

• This is a three layered parasitic infection.– The wasps disable the caterpillar’s

immune system, allowing the wasp eggs to survive.

– The eggs hatch and feed on the caterpillar, but do not kill it. Instead, the caterpillar stops developing and spends the rest of its life protecting the wasp larva, even going as far as spinning its own cocoon around the wasp pupae.

– When the adult wasp emerges from its cocoon, the zombie caterpillar finally tastes the sweet release of death.

Commensalism

• Only one member benefits– sharing space, defense, shelter, food

• Neither will die if relationship is ended– Shrimp & sea cucumber

http://www.ms-starship.com/sciencenew/symbiosis.htm

The Shrimp hitch a ride on the large sea cucumbers. The shrimps get transported through a large area of potential food by their host with only a minimal expenditure of energy on their part. They can be observed getting off their host cucumber to feed in productive areas, and back on for a ride to the next spot!

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

Cattle with cattle egrets

Cattle stir up insects as they eat

grassEgrets hang around

and eat insects

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

Clown fish with anemone

Clown fish gets protection

Anemone is unaffected

Cactus Wren & Cholla Cactus

• Cactus wren – builds its nest in a

cholla cactus to protect its young from predators such as raven. There is no harm to the cactus.

Mutualism

• Both organisms derive mutual benefit

• Neither can survive without the other

• Tickbirds and rhinos

Buffalo & Oxpecker

• Buffalo– Lets the bird eat

• Oxpecker– Eats ticks and other parasites off skin– Warns buffalo of danger

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/enemies/partners.html

Honey Bee & the Dandelion

• Honey bee– gets to eat the

pollen from the flower.

• Dandelion– uses the bee to

spread its pollen to another flower

Shark and Remora Fish

• Shark– Lets the fish eat

• Remora Fish– Eats parasites– Gets the shark’s

leftovers

Hermit Crab & Sea Anemone

• Hermit crab– protects the crab

• Sea anemone– Gets leftover food

http://www.ms-starship.com/sciencenew/symbiosis.htm

Crocodile & Bird

• Nile crocodile– Usually eats animals– Allows bird to walk

around its mouth

• Crocodile bird– Cleans parasites in

croc’s teeth– Removes and eats

scraps of food– Eats harmful leeches

and parasites

Mutualism: both benefit

Moray Eel with Cleaner Shrimp

Zebra Moray Eel gets a clean mouth

Cleaner Shrimp gets a meal

Mutualism: both benefit

Antelope with Oxbird

Antelope gets rid of parasites Oxbird gets a

meal