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[[File:Titan Triggerfish.jpg|thumb|A [[titan triggerfish]] (''Balistoides viridescens'') creates feeding opportunities for smaller fish by moving large rocks too big for them to shift themselves.]] |
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In [[ecology]], '''commensalism''' is a class of relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits without affecting the other. It compares with [[mutualism (biology)|mutualism]], in which both organisms benefit, [[amensalism]], where one is harmed while the other is unaffected, and [[parasitism]], where one benefits while the other is harmed. |
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Commensalism derives from the [[English language|English]] word ''[[wikt:commensal|commensal]]'', meaning "eating at the same table" in human social interaction, which in turn comes through [[French language|French]] from the [[Medieval Latin]] ''commensalis'', meaning "sharing a table", from the prefix ''[[wikt:com-#Latin|com-]]'', meaning "together", and ''[[wikt:mensa#Latin|mensa]]'', meaning "table" or "meal".<ref>{{OEtymD|commensalism}}</ref> Originally, the term was used to describe the use of waste food by second animals, like the carcass eaters that follow hunting animals, but wait until they have finished their meal.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} |
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== Examples of commensurable relationships == |
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The commensalism is harder to demonstrate than parasitism and mutualism, for it is easier to show a single instance whereby the host is affected, than it is to prove or disprove that possibility. Usually, a detailed investigation will show that the host indeed has become affected by the relationship. |
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=== Cattle egrets and livestock === |
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[[Cattle Egret|Cattle egrets]] foraging in fields among [[cattle]] or other livestock is an example of commensalism. As cattle, [[horse]]s and other livestock graze on the field, they cause movements that stir up various insects. As the insects are stirred up, the cattle egrets following the livestock catch and feed upon them. The egrets benefit from this relationship because the livestock have helped them find their meals, while the livestock are typically unaffected by it. |
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=== Other examples === |
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Another example of commensalism: [[bird]]s following [[army ant]] raids on a [[forest floor]]. As the army ant colony travels on the forest floor, they stir up various flying insect species. As the insects flee from the army ants, the birds following the ants catch the fleeing insects. In this way, the army ants and the birds are in a commensalistic relationship because the birds benefit while the army ants are unaffected. One more example is a black thug and a old lady the thug get money and the old lady dies never mind thats a bad example because there both effected.{{Citation needed|date=June 2012}} |
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== Arguments == |
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Whether the relationship between humans and some types of our [[gut flora]] is commensal or [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualistic]] is still unanswered. |
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Some biologists argue that any close interaction between two organisms is unlikely to be completely neutral for either party, and that relationships identified as commensal are likely [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualistic]] or [[parasitism|parasitic]] in a subtle way that has not been detected. For example, [[epiphytes]] are "nutritional pirates" that may intercept substantial amounts of nutrients that would otherwise go to the host plant.<ref>Benzing, D.H. (1980) ''Biology of the Bromeliads''. [[Eureka, California]]: Mad River Press.</ref> Large numbers of epiphytes can also cause tree limbs to break or shade the host plant and reduce its rate of photosynthesis. Similarly, phoretic mites may hinder their host by making flight more difficult, which may affect its aerial hunting ability or cause it to expend extra energy while carrying these passengers. |
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== Types == |
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[[Image:Fly June 2008-2.jpg|right|thumb|Phoretic [[mite]]s on a fly (''Pseudolynchia canariensis'')]] |
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Like all ecological interactions, commensalisms vary in strength and duration from intimate, long-lived [[symbiosis|symbioses]] to brief, weak interactions through intermediaries. |
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===Phoresy=== |
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Phoresy is one animal attaching to another exclusively for transportation. This concerns mainly [[arthropod]]s, examples of which are [[mite]]s on [[insect]]s (such as [[beetle]]s, [[fly|flies]] or [[bee]]s), [[pseudoscorpion]]s on [[mammal]]s<ref>Durden, Lance A. (2001) "Pseudoscorpions Associated With Mammals in Papua New Guinea". ''Biotropica'', Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 204–206.</ref> or beetles, and [[millipede]]s on [[bird]]s.<ref>Tajovy, Karel, et al. (2001) "Millipedes (Diplopoda) in Dogs' nests". ''European Journal of Soil Biology'', vol. 37, pp. 321–323.</ref> Phoresy can be either obligate or facultative (induced by environmental conditions). |
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===Inquilinism=== |
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Inquilinism is the use of a second organism for permanent housing. Examples are [[epiphyte|epiphytic]] [[plant]]s (such as many [[orchid]]s) that grow on trees,<ref>C. Michael Hogan. 2011. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Commensalism?topic=58074 ''Commensalism''. Topic Ed. M.Mcginley. Ed-in-chief C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC]</ref> or birds that live in holes in trees. |
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===Metabiosis=== |
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Metabiosis is a more indirect dependency, in which one organism creates or prepares a suitable environment for a second. Examples include [[maggots]], which feast and develop on corpses, and [[hermit crab]]s, which use [[gastropod]] shells to protect their bodies. |
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== See also == |
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{{Commons category}} |
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* [[Symbiosis]] - long-term interactions between different biological species, which can be mutualistic, commensal or parasitic |
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* [[Mutualism (biology)|Mutualism]] - where both organisms experience mutual benefit in the relationship |
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* [[Parasitism]] - where one organism benefits at the expense of another |
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== References == |
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<references /> |
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{{Biological_interaction-footer|state=expanded}} |
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{{modelling ecosystems|expanded=none}} |
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[[Category:Biological interactions]] |
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[[Category:Symbiosis]] |
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Revision as of 18:11, 26 September 2013
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