Relationships in Nature

1. Relationships in Nature BIO108

2. Symbiosis • Living together • A partnership • Two different species • Both partners benefit – mutual benefit

3. Animal Kingdom • Nile crocodile & crocodile bird • Hermit crab & sea anemone • Buffalo & oxpecker • Shark & remora fish

4. 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

5. Hermit Crab & Sea Anemone • Hermit crab • protects the crab • Sea anemone • Gets leftover food http://www.ms-starship.com/sciencenew/symbiosis.htm

6. 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

8. Shark and Remora Fish • Shark • Lets the fish eat • Remora Fish • Eats parasites • Gets the shark’s leftovers

9. Lichen • Slow growing plants • Partnership: fungi & algae • Neither could live alone

10. Relationships • Phoresis • Commensalism • Mutualism • Parasitism

11. Phoresis • Loose association • One organism is smaller than other • Larger organism used for transport • Dung beetles and cow dung

12. Commensalism • “eating together at the same table” • 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

13. Mutualism • Both organisms derive mutual benefit • Intimate and obligatory • Neither can survive without the other • Example – host and parasite • Tickbirds and rhinos • Clownfish & sea anemone

14. Parasitism • Not symbiotic • Causes harm to host