When two species interact, sometimes one will take advantage of the other. The most obvious example of this is predation, where one species benefits while the other dies. An example would be when a predator such as a lion kills and eats a zebra. But species can interact in other ways, where one or both benefits, and one may or may not die. Here are some examples. Parasitism Parasitism happens when one species benefits while one is harmed. An example would be the lamprey, a parasitic fish that attaches to other fish using its sucking disk, and rasps through their skin to feed on their blood and body fluids. Other examples include fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, leeches, tapeworms, botflies, and vampire bats. Parasites rarely kill their hosts. Symbiosis The word symbiosis comes from Greek origin meaning "together" and "living" and describes a close interaction or relationship between two different species. Here are two examples of symbiosis: Commensalism Commensalism happens when one species benefits while the other is unaffected. Birds and trees: Birds build their nests in trees for protection and support, while the trees are unaffected. Barnacles and whales: Barnacles attach themselves to whales, allowing them to eat more plankton, while the whales are unaffected. Epiphytic plants: These plants grow on other plants and obtain nutrients from them. Spanish moss is an example. Cattle egrets that feed upon the insects stirred up by feeding cattle. Clownfish take shelter in a stinging sea anemone to protect themselves from predators. Mutualism Mutualism happens when both species benefit. Bees and flowers: Bees pollinate flowers and get nectar in return Oxpecker and cattle: The oxpecker is a bird that eats ticks and other parasites on zebras, rhinos, and other grazing animals. The oxpecker gets food, while the grazing animals get pest control. The oxpecker also screams a warning when a predator is near that protects the herd. Ants and Aphids: Some ant species herd aphids. The ants eat their honeydew, and the aphids get shelter and protection from predators. Humans and Bacteria: Beneficial bacteria live on the skin and in the gut. The bacteria gain food and shelter, while the human gains protection from pathogens and nutrients. Shark and Remora: The remora is a fish that attaches to sharks, whales, and other large aquatic fish and mammals. The remora eats parasites that attach to the larger animal and is protected, while the shark enjoys health benefits. Resources HTML, graphics & design by Bill Willis 2024