Transcript Symbiosis - Piers Wikispaces

Symbiosis
Ecosystems Unit, May 11th 2007
Symbiosis

*Symbiosis is a close relationship
between two species where at least one
species benefits.

*3 types of symbiosis:
1) *Commensalism:

A relationship where
one organism benefits
while the other is not
affected.
E.g. Clown Fish and
Sea Anemone
The clown fish gets:
 safety by living
among the
anemone’s
poisonous tentacles.
 Food scraps left over
from the anemone’s
dinner.
The anemone is not
affected by the clownfish.
Human video
E.g. Orchid plant and a
Tree
The orchid grows high
up on the tree trunk
and gets:
–
–
Safety from ground
predators
Moisture and water
from rain dripping
down the tree’s
branches
The tree is unaffected
by the orchid
2) *Mutualism:

A relationship
that benefits both
species.
E.g. Humans and Dogs

Humans get
companionship,
protection, loyalty
and love

Dogs get shelter,
food and love
E.g. Moray Eel
and Cleaner Fish

Moray eel gets its
mouth cleaned of
parasites

Cleaner Fish gets a
meal!
E.g. Fungus and Leaf Cutter
Ants

Ants cut leaves and
grow “fungus farms”
on them to eat the
fungus

Fungus gets the
perfect environment
in which to grow!
E.g. Flowers and Honey
Bees

Flowers get
pollinated by insects

Bees get nectar to
make honey
3) *Parasitism

A relationship where
one organism benefits
(the parasite) while
the other organism is
harmed but not killed
(the host).
E.g. Fleas, ticks, mites, & lice that
feed off the blood of other animals
Fleas, ticks, mites and lice feed off
the blood of their hosts.
The host is weakened but not killed.
E.g. Tapeworms
•Long parasitic worm with a head that
attaches to the gut of its host.
•Eggs are produced in segments that fall
off and are excreted in the animals’
feces.
Tapeworm Life Cycle
E.g. Elephantiasis

A rare disorder caused by
parasitic worms that get into
the body via mosquitoes.

Results in inflammation of the
lymphatic vessels that cause
extreme enlargement of the
affected area (a limb or parts
of the head and torso)

Common in tropical regions,
especially parts of Africa.
Wuchereria Bancrofti
Guinea Worm
Bot fly Parasite


The Bot fly is a hairy
looking fly that
resembles a bumblebee
The larvae penetrate
into the skin of the host
where it matures
Bot fly continued…



The larvae form a
large and painful
lesion as it matures
It creates a hole in
your skin to allow it to
breath
Once mature, it breaks
through the skin and
turns into an adult fly
Other parasites



Video – zombie snails
Video – ants and liver flukes
Video - malaria