When both partners or organisms derive mutual benefits from living together, it is known as mutualism. Only one of the partners or organisation benefits without any effect on the other is commensalism. When one partner or organism gains benefits while the other is harmed, this is known as parasitism.
Mutualism, commensalism and parasitism are the types of relationship of symbiosis or interaction between two different species which is observed in our ecosystem. Symbiosis has its origin in the word Greek meaning ” together ” y ” living “These are close, long-term biological interactions between two different species.
Let us understand by some examples the relationships between shrimp and goby fish, pollinators and flowers, when a spider builds a web on the branch of a tree, aphids that eat the sap of plants, tapeworm. These interactions between two parties may or may not be beneficial to both in one way or another. These benefits include shelter, feeding, transport, nutrients, reproduction and growth.
Symbiosis can be optional or obligatory. Optional is when symbionts can live independently, while symbionts can live independently, while symbionts can live independently, while symbionts can live independently. obligate symbiotes are completely dependent on each other for their survival. On the other hand, when one of the species (lice and fleas) lives on the surface of the host, they are known as ectosymbiosis. But when an organism survives inside the host’s body (tapeworm or hookworm), it is known as a endosymbiosis.
However, in this content, we will be studying about the three types of interaction or symbiotic relationship observed between two different species, where one or both species can receive benefits.
Graph comparing mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.
| BASIS FOR COMPARISON | MUTUALISM | COMENSALISM | PARASITISM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sense | Mutualism is the relationship where organisms of different species benefit from each other. | Commensalism is the relationship where one organism of the two different species obtains benefits while the other is not affected. | Parasitism is the relationship in which only one organism receives benefits, while the other is harmed in return. |
| type of relationship | Mandatory. | Non-mandatory. | They can be Mandatory or Optional. |
| type of interaction | Mutualism is a positive interaction. | Commensalism is a positive interaction. | Parasitism is a negative interaction. |
| Benefits | Both species depend on each other for their benefits and survival. | Here, only one species gains benefits, while the other has no effects. | In this relationship, only one species obtains the benefits, while the other is harmed. |
| Example | 1. A sea anemone and a clownfish. 2. Pollination by insects or other pollinators. |
1. Barnacles that grow on whales. 2. Creepers taking support from trees to grow. |
1. Salpas and Phronima. 2. Cuscuta and plant host. |
Definition of mutualism
In this type of relationship, both the partner benefit each other and it involves two or numerous different species. These are the mutualistic relationship that is due to food, transport, housing and defence. The mutualistic relationship is obligatory; it shows that both species depend on each other for their survival.
A mutualistic relationship is only to maintain equilibrium in the life cycle. The various types of mutualism based on multiple factors are: nutritional mutualism, defence mutualism, transport mutualism and refuge mutualism. The relationship of flower and bees or pollinators, digestive bacteria and the human body, leguminous plants and the nitrogen fixing bacteriathe coral reef and the algaeare the few typical examples of the various mutualisms.
Definition of commensalism
Commensalism is the type of relationship in which one species obtains nutrition and other benefits while the other (host species) is not affected or harmed. This association is also due to locomotion, shelter, feeding, defence of the host species.
Commensal relationship is usually observed between a smaller commensal and a larger host. As stated, the host is not affected, but the commensal species show a gradual morphological adaptation.
When golden jackals follow tigers in search of prey, various birds, insects and fish use other animals as a means of transport. Remora and pilot fish hook up with sharks or other large fish for underwater cruising, birds building nests in trees are examples of commensalism.
Definition of parasitism
The type of symbiotic relationship, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other, is known as parasitism. The parasite lives in the host’s body to obtain nutrition, shelter and, in return, may harm the host in one way or another.
The word ” parasite “originated from the word Greekmeaning ” one who eats at another’s table “. Among all known species, parasites have the highest percentage in all the biological kingdoms (viruses, protozoabacteria, animals and plants). The study of parasitism and parasites is known as parasitology.
Roundworms, mosquitoes, viruses, ticks, fleas, mistletoe and various protozoa are examples of parasites. Parasites can be further classified as: endoparasites, ectoparasites, mesoparasites, facultative parasites, obligate parasites.
Endoparasites live inside the host’s body, such as worms and protozoa. Ectoparasites live on the surface of the host, such as ticks and fleas. Mesoparasites enter through the opening of the host body and some parts of the host body become partially embedded as copepods.
Facultative parasites are independent of their host to complete their life cycle. Obligate parasites depend on the host to complete their life cycle. Depending on the strategy of the parasites and their effect on the host, they can be classified into: trophically transmitted parasites, directly transmitted parasites and vector-borne parasites, parasitoids, micro-predators and parasitic castrators.
Key differences between mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.
The following are critical points for differentiating the three types of relationships found among the various species present in our ecosystem:
- Mutualism is the obligatory relationship where organisms of different species benefit from each other. Commensalism is the non-obligatory relationship in which one organism of the two different species obtains benefits while the other is not affected; Parasitism is the relationship where only one organism receives benefits, while the other is harmed in return, and can be obligatory or optional.
- Mutualism and commensalism are positive interactionsalthough parasitism is a negative interaction.
- The benefits of mutualism are that both species depend on each other for their benefits and survival. In contrast, in commensalism, only one species benefits while the other has no effect, and in the case of parasitism, only the species receives the benefits of mutualism. benefitswhile the other is harmed.
- Example of mutualism is A sea anemone and a clownfish, Pollination by insects; examples of commensalism are barnacles growing on whales, climbers leaning on trees to grow; examples of parasitism are Salps and Phronima, Cuscuta and the host plant.
Conclusion mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.
In order to continue the cycle of life and because of the need for survival of the various organisms, such interactions are necessary. Therefore, every ecosystem follows such interactions so that each organism can satisfy its needs to sustain its life. These species also control dominant species that serve as competition in diversity. Symbionts, especially parasites, play a critical role in evolution.