Commensalism (Noun)
Meaning
The relation between two different kinds of organisms when one receives benefits from the other without damaging it.
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- Clownfish and sea anemones exhibit commensalism, as the fish receive protection from predators while the anemone is not harmed.
- The relationship between remora fish and sharks is an example of commensalism, where the remora fish gets food from the shark's leftover meals.
- Oxpeckers and rhinoceroses display commensalism, as the birds eat ticks and other parasites off the rhinoceros's skin without harming it.
- Aphids and ants often engage in commensalism, where the ants protect the aphids from predators in exchange for sweet, sticky honeydew.
- Barnacles on a whale's skin is another example of commensalism, as the barnacles get a safe place to live and the whale is not harmed.