What is the difference between predation mutualism commensalism and parasitism

This close relationship between these two organisms is more complicated than you would first imagine. Originally a mutualistic symbiotic relationship comes to mind as the Oxpecker is eating external parasites off the coat of the mammal it is riding on. So the bird benefits in the form of a meal and the mammal benefits by having parasites removed.

The Oxpecker among a herd of animals also acts as a look-out. It lets off a shrill warning call if it detects danger which positively benefits the mammal it is on but large predators are no threat to the bird itself, so this would be a communalistic interaction. The relationship gets even more complex with recent studies revealing Oxpeckers can also have a parasitic relationship with the mammal it is on.

These birds have been documented pecking off scabs and re-opening semi-healed abrasions to lap up the blood.

This prevents wounds from healing and can cause infection — negatively affecting the mammal. Informal Assessment Use the provided answer key to check students' completed worksheet for accuracy. Extending the Learning Have students identify one new marine-related example for each of the ecological relationships discussed in this activity: predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Learning Objectives Students will: describe possible ecological relationships between species that live in close proximity to each other define symbiotic relationships as mutualistic, parasitic, or commensalistic classify symbiotic relationships.

Teaching Approach Learning-for-use. Teaching Methods Discussions Hands-on learning Visual instruction. Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices National Geography Standards Standard 8 : The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems and biomes on Earth's surface National Science Education Standards Standard C-4 : Interdependence of organisms Standard C-5 : Matter, energy, and organization in living systems Standard C-6 : Behavior of organisms Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts Principle 5d : Ocean biology provides many unique examples of life cycles, adaptations and important relationships among organisms such as symbiosis, predator-prey dynamics and energy transfer that do not occur on land.

Principle 5e : The ocean is three-dimensional, offering vast living space and diverse habitats from the surface through the water column to the seafloor. Most of the living space on Earth is in the ocean.

Principle 5f : Ocean habitats are defined by environmental factors. Due to interactions of abiotic factors such as salinity, temperature, oxygen, pH, light, nutrients, pressure, substrate and circulation, ocean life is not evenly distributed temporally or spatially, i. Some regions of the ocean support more diverse and abundant life than anywhere on Earth, while much of the ocean is considered a desert.

Principle 5g : There are deep ocean ecosystems that are independent of energy from sunlight and photosynthetic organisms. Hydrothermal vents, submarine hot springs, and methane cold seeps rely only on chemical energy and chemosynthetic organisms to support life. Resources Provided The resources are also available at the top of the page. Background Information Symbiosis is an ecological relationship between two species that live in close proximity to each other.

Prior Knowledge None. Vocabulary commensalism. Media Credits The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Writers Angela M. Media If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Text Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.

Interactives Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Related Resources. Types of Ecology. View Article. Marine Ecology Video Scavenger Hunt. View Activity. Symbiotic Relationships in Marine Ecosystems. View Lesson. Educational Resources in Your Inbox. Educational Resources in Your Inbox Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.

Parasitism is the interaction between two species where only one benefits from the other organism and the other is harmed in return. The one that benefits from the other organism is called a parasite, while the organism that is being harmed is called a host. Examples of parasitism are Phronima and Salps, a type of zooplanyton. The Phronima is a parasite and the Salps are the hosts. Finally, there is Commensalism, which is one of the harder types of interactions.

Commensalism is when two species interact and one benefits, but the other organism is neither harmed nor benefited.