Commensal Relationship
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A Commensal Relationship is a entity relationship where on entity (the commensal) benefits while neither helping nor harming the other species (the host).
- AKA: Commensalism Symbiosis, +/0 Interaction.
- Context:
- It can involve the commensal obtaining nutrients, shelter, support, or transportation from the host.
- It can range from being a Temporary Interaction to being a Lifelong Relationship, depending on the species involved.
- It can be contrasted with mutualism, where both species benefit, and parasitism, where one species benefits while the other is harmed.
- ...
- Examples:
- Marine Commensalisms, such as:
- Fish-Shark Relationships, such as:
- Remora-Shark Commensalism, where remora fish attach to sharks for transportation and leftover meals.
- Invertebrate-Fish Relationships, such as:
- Barnacle-Whale Commensalism, where barnacles attach to whales for dispersal.
- Fish-Shark Relationships, such as:
- Terrestrial Commensalisms, such as:
- Bird-Mammal Relationships, such as:
- Cattle Egret-Cattle Commensalism, where cattle egrets feed on insects stirred up by grazing cattle.
- Plant-Tree Commensalisms, such as:
- Orchid-Tree Commensalism, where orchids use trees for physical support.
- Bird-Mammal Relationships, such as:
- Microbial Commensalisms, such as:
- Human-Microbe Relationships, such as:
- Gut Bacteria Commensalism, where certain bacteria thrive in the human gastrointestinal tract without affecting health.
- Human-Microbe Relationships, such as:
- ...
- Marine Commensalisms, such as:
- Counter-Examples:
- Mutualism, which involves mutually beneficial interactions between species.
- Parasitism, which involves one species benefiting at the expense of another.
- Amensalism, which involves one species being harmed while the other is unaffected.
- See: Biological Interaction, Symbiosis, Interspecies Relationship.