Symbiotic Relationships

TYPE OF SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

ANIMAL 1 ANIMAL 2 DESCRIPTION

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

COMMENSALISM

PARASITISM

PARASITISM

COMMENSALISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM
 MUTUALISM

PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

PARASITISM

COMMENSALISM

COMMENSALISM

Cut out the animal pairs and paste them in each box then paste the description in the
designated box. Classify each by the type of symbiosis they represent

Define each symbiotic relationship term:

Commensalism

The term means “eating at the same table.” It is a type of relationship between two living
organisms in which one organism benefits from the other without harming it. A commensal
species benefits from association of another species by obtaining locomotion, shelter, food,
or support from the host species, which ,for the most part, neither benefits nor is harmed.

The commensal relation is often between a larger host and a smaller commensal. The host
organism is essentially unchanged by the interaction, whereas the commensal species may
show great morphological adaptation.

Mutualism

Mutualism is defined as an interaction between individuals of different species that results in

positive or beneficial effects on per capita reproduction and/or survival of the interacting
populations. These types of interaction are common and ubiquitous throughout all
ecosystems, and scientists are increasingly recognizing the important role that they play in
ecology. Mutualisms may involve either the exchange of resources, such as shelter, food
and other nutrients.

If mutualism is vital for the growth, survival or reproduction of an organism, it is obligate; this
is the case in many symbioses. If mutualism benefits an organism, but the organism is not
so dependent on the mutualism that it cannot survive without it, this is called a facultative
mutualism.

Parasitism

Parasitism is generally defined as a relationship between the two living species in which
one organism is benefited at the expense of the other. The organism that is benefitted is
called the parasite, while the one that is harmed is called the host.

Parasites reduce host fitness by general or specialised pathology, from parasitic castration
to modification of host behaviour. Parasites increase their own fitness by exploiting hosts for
resources necessary for their survival, in particular by feeding on them and by using
intermediate (secondary) hosts to assist in their transmission from one definitive (primary)
host to another.

Read the information below. Decide what type of symbiotic relationship the two
organisms have and write the answer on the line.

Mutualism Ostriches and gazelles eat next to each other. They both watch for
predators and danger. Since they see things differently, they each
can identify threats the other animal may not see. Both species are
happy.

Parasitism A cuckoo bird may lay its eggs in a warbler’s nest. The cuckoo’s young
will kick out the warbler’s young and will be raised by the warbler. This
is good for the cuckoo but bad for the warbler.
 Mutualism Yucca flowers are pollinated by yucca moths. The moths lay their eggs in
the flowers and the eggs hatch. The larvae eat some of the seeds, and
spread them around. Both species are happy.

Commensalism Barnacles attach themselves to whales so they can get a free meal.
This neither harms nor helps the whales.

Parasitism Mistletoe takes water and nutrients from the spruce tree. This is good for
the mistletoe but bad for the tree.

Mutualism Oxpecker birds get a good meal by eating the ticks found on a rhinoceros.
The rhinoceros get a free cleaning. Both species are happy.

Commensalism Remora fish attach themselves to a shark’s body. They then travel with
the shark and eat scraps from the shark’s meals. This neither harms
nor helps the shark.

Commensalism Silverfish bugs live and hunt with army ants. They share the prey. This
neither helps nor harms the ants.

Mutualism Wrasse fish get a free meal by eating the parasites found on the bass
fish’s body. The bass gets free doctor services. Both species are happy.

Commensalism A bison walks through the grass, insects fly up and are seen, and
eaten, by cowbirds. This neither harms nor helps the bison.

Parasitism A flea feeds on a mouse’s blood. This is good for the flea but bad for the
mouse. Ticks feed on deer blood. This helps the ticks but hurts the deer.

Commensalism Hermit crabs live in shells that snails don't use anymore. The hermit crab
gets a nice free home. This neither harms nor helps the snails.

Commensalism The stork bird uses its saw-like beak to cut up dead animals it eats. Bees
then come along and lay their eggs in the meat so when the eggs hatch,
their larvae will have food to eat. This neither harms nor helps the stork.

Mutualism Honey guide birds show badgers where beehives are. The badger rips
open the hive and eats the honey first. Then the honey guide birds eat.