Symbiotic Relationships

A type of relationship where both organisms receive some type of benefit.

• Mutualism

• Competition

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

Bees fly from flower to flower gathering nectar for food. The bees get pollen on their bodies and transport it to the next flower pollinating the plant

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Predation

Cattle egrets are small birds that sit comfortably on the back of cattle. They follow herds of livestock to eat insects stirred by the cattle's grazing.

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Predation

• Parasitism

Vampire bats drink the blood of cattle and other animals to survive. The bites don't kill the cattle, but can cause infections and transmit disease.

• Predation

• Competition

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

The tick gets food from the deer by biting and drinking its blood. The deer does not die from the bites but its is harmed by the loss of blood and the spread of disease.

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Competition

• Predation

Fleas live on dogs and suck blood for food. The dog is bitten, loses blood, and itches.

• Mutualism

• Competition

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Tiny frogs eat ants that threaten the tarantulas eggs. In return, the tarantula protects the frog from other predators.

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Competition

The cactus wren builds its nes in the cacti. The spines of the cacti help protect the nest from predators. The cactus is unharmed by the building of the nest.

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Predation

• Parasitism

A type of relationship where one organism benefits from the symbiosis. The other organism is not helped, but also is not harmed by the relationship.

• Predation

• Competition

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

Remoras attach themselves to sharks without hurting them. They eat any leftover food from the sharks feeding.

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Predation