At first glance, it may seem that in nature, each species lives in isolation. But in fact, this is not at all the case. All living organisms are in close interaction with each other and elements of inanimate nature. Commensalism is one such relationship. We will consider its main characteristics in our article.
Ecological interactions of organisms
Most often, biotic relationships are manifested in trophic and spatial relationships. Rarely are they neutral. This is explained by the fact that even indirectly, but organisms influence each other. Symbiosis, commensalism is an example of mutually beneficial and beneficial relationships. And predation, parasitism and competition are relationships in which species experience oppression to one degree or another. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Amensalism
Herbaceous plants often grow under coniferous trees. What is the nature of the interaction between them? As the crown grows, light-loving grasses begin to suffer from shading. The tree itself does not experienceno influence. This is an example of amensalism.
Commensalism is…
In Latin, this concept means "meal together." Commensalism is very common in nature. It manifests itself in the form of one-sided use of one species by another without harming it. for example, burdock fruits cling to the dog's fur. On the one hand, it is an effective way to distribute seeds. The other participant is not affected.
Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism: features of difference
These concepts are often confused. It is worth remembering that mutualism is manifested in the mutually beneficial cohabitation of organisms of different species. In commensalism, only one species benefits. For example, only bumblebees pollinate clover. These species cannot exist without each other.
The same can be said about the hermit crab and the coral anemone polyp. They are truly inseparable. Like all representatives of the Coelenterates type, anemone has stinging cells. Therefore, cancer uses the polyp as a defense. The anemone itself feeds on organic matter, which the animal extracts. Scientists say that such relationships were born over millions of years. If these organisms are artificially separated, they will simply die in a couple of months.
Unlike commensalism, parasitism manifests itself in the oppression of one species by another. So, helminths live off the nutrients of the host organism. It can be an animal or a person. On the trunk of willows and birches, another parasite can often be seen. It's called a mushroomtinder fungus. Its hyphae penetrate deeply into the elements of the conducting tissue of the plant. This is how the fungus provides itself with nutrients and water.
Freeloading
There are several types of commensalism. These include freeloading, companionship, and lodging. The first type is manifested in the consumption by one species of food residues of another - the host. A striking example of freeloading is the trophic relationship of arctic foxes that follow polar bears.
Companionship
Commensalism, examples of which we are considering, can also manifest itself in the consumption of different parts of one product by organisms. This is companionship. Different types of soil saprophytic bacteria process only certain organic substances.
Housing
Commensalism is a type of interaction that also manifests itself in spatial relationships. Very often in nature, some organisms use others as a refuge. This is housing.
In this case, one species benefits, while the other does not experience harm. So, bitter fish lays eggs in the mantle of bivalve mollusks. What is the nature of this connection? This does not affect the vital activity of the mollusk in any way, and the caviar is reliably protected from those who like to feast on it.
Let's give some more examples of lodging. The dwelling for many plants are powerful branches and trunks of trees. These include creepers, mosses, lichens, orchids. Medusa tentacles -reliable hiding place for small fish. And lizards are often found in rodent nests.
Symbiosis
This type of relationship is mutually beneficial and inseparable. Symbiosis involves close, obligatory cohabitation of organisms of different species. Its classic example is lichens. It is a collection of fungi and blue-green algae. The first, with the help of hyphae, absorb water from the soil with a solution of minerals. Algae cells carry out the process of photosynthesis, therefore they are a source of glucose. This organic matter they provide mushrooms. This structure allows lichens to survive in the most difficult conditions. They settle on rocks, frozen soil, on the bark of trees.
Protozoa of the flagellate order live in the intestines of termites. They are able to secrete types of enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of fiber into monosaccharides. Termites themselves are not capable of this. Therefore, the process of digestion in them is possible only in symbiosis with flagella. In turn, the simplest of this species never live freely in nature. Therefore, the intestines of termites are a safe haven for them.
So, there are several types of ecological interactions in nature. They can be neutral, mutually beneficial or harmful. Commensalism is an example of a relationship in which one species benefits while the other is not harmed. Such a connection manifests itself in the form of freeloading, companionship or lodging. Commensalism is an example of a useful-neutral relationship between organisms of different species in a livingnature.
