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Table of Contents
Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship that exists between a commensal and a host. One of the organisms benefits from the close relationship, while the other is neither harmed nor benefits from the interaction.
See the fact file below for more information on Commensalism, or you can download our 27-page Commensalism worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY
- Derived from the word “commensal,” the word “commensalism” means “eating at the same table.” It originates from the word commensalis, a Middle Latin word that means com (“together”) and mensa (“table”)—first used in 1876, coined by Belgian zoologist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden. The commensal relationship between two organisms is a more extensive and smaller host species. The host specie or organism is effectively unharmed or unchanged by the interaction and relation.
TYPES OF COMMENSALISM
- As commensalism is within the ecological webs and one of the environmental interactions between organisms living together in an ecosystem, it varies from short to long. The duration depends upon the strength and purpose of the association and interaction between the commensal and host.
- The first type is Phoresy, rooted in the Greek word phorēsis means “being carried,” from pherein meaning “to carry.” It is a non-parasitic relationship or interaction between organisms that are temporary and of short duration interaction. Phoresy is an association of species that may be either obligate or facultative.
- The commensal, or phoront, also phoretic, is attached to the host or other organism temporarily and solely for travel, transportation, dispersal, or seasonal migration. This type of ecological relationship is typical in arthropods, mites on insects, and barnacles attached to whales exclusively for free transportation while the host is unharmed.
- The second type is Inquilinism, an inquiline from the Latin word inquilinus, which means “lodger” or “tenant.” In this type, the other organism uses the other organism for permanent housing. The other species in this type of ecological interaction live commensally with or in another. The typical examples are epiphytic plants such as orchids that grow as epiphytes on trees and don’t harm nor affect the organism, as well as the birds that live and build nests on trees.
- Third is Metabiosis. Unlike the other two types, the host in this interaction is usually a deceased or dead organism. It is an indirect dependency of an organism, in which the other organism forms or creates a habitat or suitable environment for another.
- In this interspecies relationship, the host or the species can’t benefit or be harmed since it is deceased. The commensal, however, has a favorable environment for it to grow or flourish. For example, maggots live and infest animal corpses, and a hermit crab uses a shell from a gastropod for its protection.
- Fourth is Facilitation, wherein this type of ecological interaction or probiosis defined as a relationship in which the presence of one organism alters the environment in a way that enhances the survival, growth, even reproduction, and neighboring species. In this interaction, at least one of the species benefits and cause harm to neither. Facilitations can also be categorized as a mutualistic relationship. Facilitation often occurs in a physically stressful environment than in favorable surroundings; it may also act by decreasing the negative impacts of a stressful ecological environment where competition may be the most significant interaction among organisms. Facilitation has a more prominent effect on plant interactions, just like in epiphytic plants that obtain more direct sunlight, in the canopies of their host plants rather than they would on the ground. This type of relationship increases access to limited natural resources such as water, light, and even nutrients for interacting organisms.
- The last is Necromeny, a symbiotic association where an organism interacts inside the host and waits until its death. When the host dies, species such as insects or necromanic nematodes, the organisms that benefit from the interaction, feed on the corpse while leaving it unharmed.
- The species feeds on the subsequent bacterial growth and decaying matter that then advances to adulthood; the nematodes then migrate from the corpse into the habitat to find new hosts. In this form of symbiosis, the host is used both for transport to new food resources as well as a source of food upon the host’s death. The necromenic organisms are well-aided and benefit from the interaction, while the other is unharmed.
EXAMPLES OF COMMENSALISM FROM GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS
- Caribou and the Arctic Fox relationship exhibit commensalism in the tundra. Caribou expose lichen plants by digging them up. While reindeer are attracted to these lichens, the arctic foxes follow the caribou pathway and reach the reindeer by feeding upon the exposed lichens.
- Sub-Saharan African creatures, oxpeckers, and grazing animals like giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, etc., exemplify commensalism in the savanna. Oxpeckers feed upon the insects, flies, and ticks found on grazing species or animals. Oxpeckers thus provide these insects, flees, and ticks, keeping the animals clean.
- Moreover, the oxpeckers alert the grazing animal if a predator is nearby or approaching the herd. Hence, oxpeckers and grazing animals show a commensal, symbiotic relationship.
- Similarly, there is an existing commensal relationship between golden jackals and the tiger by following the tiger trail to feed upon the remains of the deceased prey of the tiger. The tiger remains unaffected and unbothered by the behavior of the jackal while the jackal gets easy access to the food.
- Found in the tropical regions of South and Central America, frogs from the family Dendrobatidae, known as poison dart frogs, show commensalism with the leaves of large plants. These frogs live and shelter under large leaves to protect themselves from predators.
- Around the world, commensalism and other ecological interaction between varied species are found in every geographical region. This symbiotic relationship keeps the commensal surviving in the environment and causes no harm or danger to the host or other organisms.
COMMENSALISM IN HUMANS
- An example of commensalism in humans is microbiota. Commensal organisms create communities within a host organism, wherein bacteria flourish. Microbiota on the skin and gastrointestinal tract (GI), the aspergillus fungus, grow in the gastrointestinal tract of hosts or humans and share a commensalism interaction with them. The human GI tract provides a suitable environment to grow without harming or causing danger to the hosts or humans.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OTHER TYPES
- It is essential to learn the difference between the various ecological relationships to understand commensalism better. Depending upon the types of relationships in nature needed for the organisms to survive, organisms can be classified into the following three classes: mutualism, parasitism, and amensalism. In mutualism, both species experience mutual benefits in the interspecies symbiotic relationship. However, in parasitism, one organism benefits at the expense of the other and causes harm to the relationship.
- While in amensalism, one of the species or organisms remains unaffected; however, the other would either be harmed or destroyed in the ecosystem.
Commensalism Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Commensalism across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Commensalism. Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship that exists between a commensal and a host. One of the organisms benefits from the close relationship, while the other is neither harmed nor benefits from the interaction.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Commensalism Facts
- Wordscape
- Let’s Analyze!
- Can You Tell?
- Search and Tell
- Know-ted
- What is It?
- Word Chain
- Grid
- Watch and Learn
- Tell Me What
Frequently Asked Questions
What is commensalism?
Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two species, where one species benefits without harming or benefiting the other. The species that benefits is called the commensal, while the other species is referred to as the host.
Can you give an example of commensalism?
Yes, an example of commensalism is the relationship between cattle egrets and large herbivores, such as cows or buffalo. The cattle egrets feed on insects that bother the herbivores, such as ticks and flies, while the herbivores are not affected positively or negatively by the presence of the egrets.
How is commensalism different from mutualism?
Commensalism differs from mutualism in that in commensalism, only one species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. In mutualism, both species involved in the relationship benefit from each other.
Are there any negative impacts of commensalism?
Commensalism is generally considered a neutral relationship, as the host species is not harmed or benefited. However, in some cases, the commensal species may become overly dependent on the host, potentially leading to negative impacts on the host species or its ecosystem.
Can commensalism change over time?
Yes, commensalism can change over time. Environmental conditions, population dynamics, and other factors can influence the nature of commensal relationships. For example, a commensal species may evolve to become mutualistic with its host over time if both species benefit from the relationship.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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