SYMBIOSIS: relationships in nature

Definition of AdaptationCharacteristics that allow an animal to survive in its environment. These characteristics allow the animal to find food, protect themselves, communicate, and mate

Can be physical or behavioral

CompetitionIn a biological community, competition is

the struggle between individuals or different populations for a limited resource

In an ecosystem, competition may occur within the same species (two bushes competing for same water source)

Can also occur between members of different species

CooperationNot all interactions in an ecosystem involve

competition. Cooperation is an interaction in which

organisms work in a way that benefits them all. Some predators cooperate when they hunt

Definition of SymbiosisWhen organisms share food and other resources.There are three types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism.

Mutualism: a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.

Examples of Mutualism (+/+)These guys are “Pals” or “Buddies”Both species benefitOrchids and Fungi

Orchid benefits because the fungi grows on the root and helps bring in nutrients to plant

Fungi benefits because it ingests food from the plant during photosynthesis

Fruit and BirdsBird benefits because the fruit provides

nutrition for the birdFruit benefits because the birds fly around and

expel waste which in turn disperses fruit seeds to new areas

Commensalism: A relationship between two species of organisms in which one species benefits and the other is not affected

Examples of Commensalism (+/0) These guys are “Hitchhikers”One species benefits, the other is not affected

Cattle Egret (bird) & CattleBird benefits because the cattle stir up insects

while they grazeCattle does not benefit from birds being around

Barnacles & ScallopsBarnacles benefit because they attach to

scallop as a place to liveScallops don’t care and are unaffected by the

barnacles.

Parasitism: A relationship between two species of organisms which is harmful to one, and beneficial to the other

Examples of Parasitism (+/-)These guys are “Pickpockets”One species benefits, the other harmed

Fleas & CatsFlea benefits because it feeds on blood of the

catCat is harmed because they lose blood

Ticks & DeerThe tick benefits because it feeds on bloodDeer is harmed because they lose blood and

sometimes the tick can be poisonous

Limiting Factors in an ecosystema limiting factor is one

that controls a process, such as organism growth or species population size or distribution.

The availability of food, predation pressure, or availability of shelter are examples of factors that could be limiting for a species population in a specific area. Climate, space, food, water and predators are limiting factors.