Symbiotic Relationships

10/09/15

Interactions

• How doORGANISMS in anECOSYSTEM interact?– ORGANISMS in an ecosystem interact with plants,

animals and theirENVIRONMENT.– INTERACTIONS can cause populations toINCREASE

or DECREASE.– INTERACTIONS can also cause theECOSYSTEM to

change.

Stability

• What is a stableECOSYSTEM?– A stableECOSYSTEM is one in which

thePOPULATION and resources change in aPREDICTABLE manner.

– In a stableECOSYSTEM, there is healthy balance betweenPREDATOR and PREY.

Predation• What isPREDATION?– AnINTERACTION

species in whichPREDATORS eat PREY.

– This healthyRELATIONSHIP balances the populations within anECOSYSTEM.

– Example:lions eating gazelles in a grassland regulate the number ofgazelles in the

grassland.

Impact of Predation

• How does thePREDATOR/ prey relationship affect POPULATION ?– If the number of prey in aPOPULATION

increases then the number ofPREDATORS will also increase.

– If the number ofPREDATORS decreases, then the number of prey willINCREASE.

Competition• What

isCOMPETITION?– When species within

anECOSYSTEM compete for the sameRESOURCES.

– Organisms in anECOSYSTEM compete for:• FOOD• WATER• SPACE

– Example: In the ocean, dolphins, whales and large fish all compete for smaller fish.

Symbiotic Relationships

• Symbiosis = __________________________– Sym = same time, together– Bio = life

• Co-exist: synonym or antonym?• Cooperate means __________________________________________________________

Living together in a close environment

To work together towards

a common end goal or purpose (think group work)

Attack of the Killer Fungi!

• Cordyceps - Planet Earth • Make note:– Is an organism benefiting?– Is an organism being harmed?– Can you connect this type of

relationship to something you have already learned?

The 3 symbiotic relationships

• A. Mutualism (+/+)– Both organisms benefit

• B. Parasitism(+/-)– 1 organsism benefits, another is harmed

• C. Commensalism(+/o)– 1 organism benefits, other is unaffected

Let’s recall…

Mutualism ParasitismCommensalism

both organisms benefit

one organism benefits

one organism benefits

one organism is unaffected

one organism is

harmed

MutualismBoth organisms benefit from interaction

Organism One Organism Two

Anemone & Clown FishThis fish lives its entire

adult life among the tentacles of a bulb- tentacle sea anemone. Clown 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.

CommensalismOne organism benefits, the other is not affected.

Organism One Organism Two

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.

Shark & Remora

Parasitism

One organism benefits and the other organism (host) is harmed

Organism One Organism Two

Loa Loa Worm & Human

This worm infects the

human blood stream and gets a nice warm safe

home there. The human may go blind or have

other complications as

a result.

Cooperation

Working together so all organisms benefit

Ants!

Despite having different jobs, all ants work together for the good of their colony.

Competition

• Fighting for resources- food, water, shelter, mates

Red Deer

During mating season, red deer males will get in many fights to be considered the best male for the females to mate.

Predation

One animal hunts, the other is the food

PredationThe killer whale

swims beneath the seals and then goes up towards the surface, scooping part of the seal in its mouth.

What kind of interaction?

You will see real life examples of the interactions addressed in the powerpoint.

Honey bees

Honey bees have specific roles to complete for the success of the colony.

What interaction is this?

cooperation

Boxer Crab & Anemones

This Boxer Crab carries a pair of

stinging anemones in its claws, which it uses to defend itself from

predators. The anemones get to move

around which increases their food

supply.

mutualism

What interaction is this?

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.

Emperor Shrimp & Sea Cucumber

commensalism

What interaction is this?

The Purple Sea StarThe purple sea star consistently feeds on the barnacles that are the greatest number. They all feed on the same type of barnacles.

What interaction is this?

competition

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.

What interaction is this?

commensalism

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.

What interaction is this? mutualism

Dragonflies and mosquitoes

Dragonflies eat mosquito larvae and fully mature mosquitoes.

What interaction is this?

predation

Goby and Alpheid Shrimp

What interaction is this?

mutualism

This alpheid shrimp (onthe 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