My Science School

In some relationships, one organism ends up deriving all the benefits, and the other is not harmed or helped. The remora (or suckerfish) attaches itself to the host fish, usually a shark or a large fish, with its mouth. The shark unwittingly provides protection, transportation and food scraps from prey. The remora merrily enjoys all the benefits of this association.

Then there are the parasites. A parasite associates with its host and uses the host’s resources to flourish and reproduce, harming the host in the process. The adult tapeworm is a parasite that lives in vertebrate intestines. It takes up nutrients from the food, depriving the host of essential nutrients. Ticks, fleas and head lice are also parasites.

 

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Oxpeckers are birds that eat ticks, flies and other insects from cattle and other grazing mammals. The oxpecker receives nourishment, and the animal that it grooms receives pest control. Oxpeckers are birds that are commonly found on the sub-Saharan African savanna. They can often be seen sitting on buffalo, giraffes, impalas, and other large mammals. In addition to parasite and pest removal, oxpeckers will also alert the herd to the presence of predators by giving a loud warning call.

Despite their vampiric tendencies, the oxpecker does have qualities that benefit its mammalian hosts.  As well as eating ticks and other external parasites, the oxpecker acts as a watchman for the mammals on which it happens to be situated. When danger approaches, a hissing call warns its host to a potential and nearby predatory threat thus allowing the host ample opportunity to either fight or flee.

 

 

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Clownfish live within the protective tentacles of the sea anemone. In return, the sea anemone receives cleaning and protection.

Sea anemones are attached to rocks in their aquatic habitats and catch prey by stunning them with their poisonous tentacles. Clownfish are immune to the anemone’s poison and actually live within its tentacles. Clownfish clean the anemone’s tentacles keeping them free from parasites. They also act as bait by luring fish and other prey within striking distance of the anemone. The sea anemone provides protection for the clownfish, as potential predators stay away from its stinging tentacles.

 

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Some ant species herd aphids in order to have a constant supply of honeydew that the aphids produce. In exchange, the aphids are protected by the ants from other insect predators. Some ant species farm aphids and other insects that feed on sap. The ants herd the aphids along the plant, protecting them from potential predators and moving them to prime locations for acquiring sap. The ants then stimulate the aphids to produce honeydew droplets by stroking them with their antennae. In this symbiotic relationship, the ants are provided with a constant food source, while the aphids receive protection, and shelter.

The bullhorn acacia tree that is native to Mexico, has leaves which lack essential bitter compounds that protect a tree from grazing animals or insects. Ants which live within the hollowed-out horns of the tree (called the bullhorn acacia ants) mount a speedy attack against any animal or insect that tries to harm the tree. The ants are rewarded for their services by the tree with food. In such ‘symbiotic’ relationships, two organisms of different species have intertwined lifestyles.

 

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Insects and animals play a vital role in the pollination of flowering plants. While the pollinator receives nectar or fruit from the plant, it also collects and transfers pollen in the process. Flowering plants rely heavily on insects and other animals for pollination. Bees and other insects are lured to plants by the fragrance secreted from their flowers. When the insects collect nectar, they become covered in pollen. As the insects travel from plant to plant, they deposit the pollen from one plant to another. Other animals also participate in a symbolic relationship with plants. Birds and mammals eat fruit and distribute the seeds to other locations where the seeds can germinate.

 

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