Commensalism Example

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one living species takes advantage of the other without harming or getting help from other species. The term commensalism was introduced by Belgian zoologist and paleontologist Pierre Joseph van Beneden in 1876, followed by the term mutualism. Bennett initially applied this word to describe the activity of animals that eat carcasses and follow predators to indulge in their waste food. Mainly, commensalism is discussed in the fields of biology and ecology, even though the term expands to other sciences as well. Read through this article to study what commensalism is and its examples. And also learn its types.

Understanding Commensalism

Commensalism is a kind of relationship created between two living organisms, wherein one living species takes advantage of another by availing shelter, food, or support from the other host species, which is neither harmed nor gets an advantage. Commensalism expands from brief interactions between two species to lifelong symbiosis.

Key highlights:

• Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one living species takes advantage of the other without harming the other species.
• Species that get an advantage are termed as commensal. However, the other species is called the host species.
• A golden jackal followed the tiger to eat. The leftovers from its kills are an example of commensalism.

Commensalism Examples

Explore some examples of commensalism discussed below:

• The burdock plants generate spiny seeds that stick on the fur of the animals or human clothing. Through this method, the plants perform seed dispersal for reproduction, keeping the animals or humans unaffected.
• Remora fish have a disc on the top of the heads, which helps them get attached to larger animals such as whales and mantis. The remora fish detaches itself from the larger animals when they eat additional food.
• Nurse plants are bigger plants to protect seedlings from herbivores and weather, providing them an opportunity to grow efficiently.
• Tree frogs use plants for protection.
• After being expelled from the pack, Golden jackals follow a tiger to feed on the remainder of its killings.
• Goby fishes reside on other sea animals as they can change colors to blend with the color of the animals. They do this to gain protection from predators.

Types of Commensalism 

Different types of commensalism include the following:

Metabiosis

Metabiosis is a kind of commensalism relationship where one organism creates a habitat for another.

Example: A hermit crab uses a shell from a dead gastropod for protection.

Microbiota

Microbiota is a type of commensalism where commensal organisms create communities within a host organism.

Example: The Skin flora bacteria confers protection on the host.

Inquilinism

Inquilinism is a relationship in which one organism uses the other organism for permanent housing.

Example: A bird living in a tree hole.

Phoresy

In phoresy, one organism attaches itself to the other for transport.

Example: Mites residing on insects.

Conclusion

Commensalism relationships depend on a specific, unconscious, mutual respect that has resulted from countless millennia. Numerous other examples of two different living organisms coming together in a relationship that neither benefits nor harms the other one exist, such as a bird making its nest on a tree. 

Not only plants and animals but even humans create a commensal relationship with mites and bacteria strains. Perhaps this is not the end, as many more fascinating commensal relationships will be generated in the next few million years.

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