Symbiotic relationships
I read a recent article that highlighted 6 different symbiotic relationship types that are in affect in the world. This was quite surprising to me, because I understood the term symbiotic relationship to be what is depicted in the above picture, where a little fragile bird is cleaning a crocodiles mouth at great risk to being killed and eaten.
They are both benefiting from the relationship even if from totally different 'worlds'.
This is true, but there is more to these relationships than we thought, and I think sharing this is valuable and interesting.
I hope you enjoy the post.
6 different types of relationships
1 - Competition: ( - / - )
This is quite easy to explain, as you can understand this from your life. 2 beings competing for the same resources in order to survive. If there was only a single resource then the one would suffer for not having of the resource.
BUT were talking about symbiotic relationships, and in a COMPETITIVE SYMBIOSIS we have 2 competitors, like a wolf and a coyote, both eating the same food. This could prove to be problematic, but in this relationship they have worked out something that works.
One will hunt the prey at night, and one will hunt during the day, thus allowing both to go about their lives in relative peace.
If they did not do this, then the coyote would be a massive disadvantage due to its size difference to the wolf. It would be at risk.
However nature has a way to make it work for both predators, even though in essence both kinda lose out in this, as the resources are split. Therefore negative / negative.
2 - Predation: ( + / - )
Here where one animal is a predator and the other is the prey. Yes it almost doesn't seem symbiotic in this case, but it is.
The slow, the sick, and the old (young are and unknown) are the easiest prey and usually culled by the predators.
Also an un-curbed population of animals can quickly wipe out their very own resources if not taken care of through predation.
The example of this would be a cat and a mouse, cow and grass or a Lion and a buck.
3 - Parasitism: ( + / - )
Here an organism will live on, or in another organism which will be it's host. It will cause some damage to the host but will also adapt to the way of life of the host.
Here you can think of ticks that will love on an animal. It causes some harm (sometimes great harm) to the host, and will continue to live there as long as it can sustain itself or actually be sustained.
A lot of times the host doesn't even know the parasite is living off of it (think a tapeworm), but the nutrients are being taken from the host regardless.
In the below picture there is a fish parasite that takes the place of the fishes tongue. The male is in the gills and the female the tongue! EEEWWW
So one organism essentially thrives at the cost of another = parasitism. It's a relationship nonetheless!
Sounds like modern day governments :)
4 - Herbivory: ( + / - )
Most of us know this one. Here the animal usually partly consumes the plant. In most cases it leaves the remainder of the plant to regrow (think cow and grass or sea urchin eating algae).
These plants they consume are known as producers in the energy pyramid and supply the nutrients to the organisms feeding off them. '
Interesting fact is that only 10% of the energy obtained is passed onto the predators as they are in turn consumed.
5 - Mutualism: ( +/ + )
As you can see by the positive / positive depiction above, both sides of this relationship are benefited. The outcome of the relationship is positive for both in other words.
This could be positive for their survival, reproduction, comfort etc.
Perhaps you have seen the Oxpecker Birds? They clean the Oxen that they live around, thus feeding themselves and families, and also at the same time keeping unwanted parasites off the host.
Similarly bees and flowers, clown fish and sea anenome.
This one sounds like the perfect relationship :).
The first pic of the croc and the bird is what were talking about here!
6 - Commensalism: ( + / 0 )
Here we have a one sided relationship. A positive benefit for the one organism and the other one sees no benefit at all. In fact it is also not harmed at all.
This really is a one sided relationship completely.
We have a few examples of this sort of relationship:
Fish in reefs, Remora fish and sharks, seeds on animals, barnacles on whales.....each is living off the life of another without affecting it in any way.
So if you are like me who though that symbiotic relationships needed to be positive for all parties then hopefully this has helped you somewhat.
"Symbiosis is a relationship between two or more organisms that live closely together".
That does not mean that it is always beneficial or positive, but indeed it would be for at least one of them.
A funny thought is that on Steemit we have pretty much each of these Symbiotic relationships on display! Each one.....
Have a wonderful day further!
Cheers
[Information and image credit is SITE , Wikipedia) ]
If I keep reading your posts every day (and I intend to do so), I will be much wiser by the end of the year! Thank you for sharing the wonderful and interesting posts.
Thank you so much for such a kind comment....this is truly appreciated.
I have been so busy the last few days that I've slacked on the writing.
I like to give credit where credit is due. :-)
Time passes by so quickly and we all have a life outside of Steem, so it is understandable.
Howdy sir towjam! oh these are very intriquing and the photos are wonderful, especially that top one! I was also very intriqued by your last sentence about all of these relationships are happening on steemit! I think you should do a post about that!
Hi again my friend....thats not a bad idea actually.
Do a breakdown on each of these relationships and how they manifest on the platform....that would indeed be interesting
howdy today sir towjam! yes sir because alot of us don't understand the way people act on this platform and a post like that could bring some understanding and make some sense as to what and why some actions are done.