Symbiotic relationships
The interactions of different organisms make up a huge part of Ecology. symbiotic relationships describe these interactions. symbiotic relationships are the arrangements between organisms of different species for the benefit of one or both. These arrangements include commensalism, parasitism, and mutualism.
Mutualism
Mutualism is an association in which both organisms benefit. They use their specific skills or qualities to help another organism and the other organism helps in return. For example the honey-guide bird and the honey badger work together for food. The honey-guide bird finds and leads the badger to a bee hive and the badger in turn breaks the hive open to get the honey inside. In return the honey-guide bird, who is unable to get into the hive by itself, now can have the badger break the hive for it. In fact we have a mutual relationship with the e coli bacteria in our guts. The bacteria are responsible for our ability to digest food, in return we share some of that food with them and they get a safe environment to live in.
Commansalism
Commercialism is the association in which only one of the organisms benefit but the other is not harmed. an example of this is common cattle and egrets. Cows, oxen or other livestock graze and leave their waste in the fields. The egrets following the cattle eat the bugs that are attracted to the waste.
Parasitism
Parasitism is the association in witch one organism benefits, the parasite,and the other, the host, is sickened, weakened, or damaged. The most recognizable form of this is the mosquito who feeds on the blood of animals and may even leave a blood transferred disease behind.