Three types of Symbiotic

Relationships

❧1. COMMENSALISM
❧2. MUTUALISM
❧3. PARASITISM
 COMMENSALISM
❧ A symbiotic relationship in which one
species benefits and the other species is
neither harmed nor benefited.
❧ AN EXAMPLE: In a region of Siberia in
Russia a peregrine falcon and red-breasted
goose have a commensal relationship. During
the nesting season the falcon protects the geese
from predators. The geese benefit, while the
falcon is neither benefited or harmed.
 MUTUALISM
❧ A symbiotic relationship in which both
species benefit!
❧ AN EXAMPLE: Mutualism is illustrated between
a type of ant and a species of acacia tree living in
the subtropics. The ant protects the tree by
attacking any herbivore that tries to feed on it.
The ants also kill any plant that begins to grow too
close to the acacia. The tree provides nectar and a
home for the ants.
 PARASITISM
❧ A symbiotic relationship in which one
organism benefits at the others expense!

❧ AN EXAMPLE: Tapeworms and

roundworms, live in the intestines of
dogs, cats, and other vertebrates.

❧ Why would it be disadvantageous for a

parasite to kill its host?
 When living separately, approximately how
long after the extinction of Organism 2 did it
take Organism 1 to reach its highest point?
Growth Rates of Two Organisms

35
30 Organism #1 alone
Number present in

25
thousands

20 Organism #1 and
15 #2 living together
10 Organism #2 alone
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time in weeks
 After analyzing the graph, the association between the
organisms is either commensalism, parasitism, or
mutualism? Explain Why?
Growth Rates of Two Organisms

35
30 Organism #1 alone
Number present in

25
thousands

20 Organism #1 and
15 #2 living together
10 Organism #2 alone
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time in weeks