FEEDING RELATIONSHIPS OR ASSOCIATIONS

Symbiosis is the term used to describe the long-term relationships between two or more organisms.

There are four types of relationships.
1. Parasitism
2. Mutualism
3. Saprophytism
4. Commensalism

PARASITISM

Under this type of relationship, one organism feeds on another and causes injury or harm to it. 

Examples:  Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans, tapeworm in the intestines of humans, plasmodium falciparum causing malaria in humans. 

MUTUALISM

This is the type of association in which both organisms benefit from the relationship. 

Examples: Oxpeckers (a kind of bird) land on rhinos or zebras and eat ticks and other parasites that live on their skin. The oxpeckers get food and the rhinos or zebras relieved of the pests. So both benefit from this relationship.

The spider crab and the algae. Spider crabs live in shallow areas of the ocean floor where they are easily preyed upon by other sea creatures. The greenish-brown algae lives on the back of the crabs. This makes them blend in with their environment so that they become unnoticeable to predators. They both benefit because the algae gets a good place to live, and the crabs get camouflage.

The bee and the flower. Bees fly from flower to flower gathering nectar, which they turn into their food. While feeding on the nectar, the bees get some pollen on their hairy bodies The pollen is transferred to the next flower when the bee lands on it leading to pollination. In this mutualistic relationship, the bees get their food, and the flowering plants get to reproduce.

COMMENSALISM

In this relationship, one organism benefits but the other does not benefit or get injured.

Examples: The shark and the remora fish. The remora fish feeds on the crumbs that fall out of the mouth of the shark. The remora fish benefits from feeding on the crumbs but the shark does not benefit or lose.

Cattle and cattle egrets - The cattle egrets are birds that live near cattle. When the cattle graze, their movements stir up insects. The birds have their insects and the cattle are unaffected.

SAPROPHYTISM

This relationship involves organisms feeding on non-living things. The organisms are referred to as saprophytes.

Example: Mold and bread - Mold (living organism) is a fungus that feeds on the bread (non-living). 

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