What is Symbiosis? It is the gathering of different types of animals in a way that meets or facilitates their needs (food, hygiene, breeding, and protection ...). These relationships can be shortterm and facultative or lifelong and mandatory. It is divided into 4 according to the Benefit Status of Living Beings. (Brown, 2019) B.1.MUTUALISM: Two creatures that live together also benefit from each other. In some cases of mutualism, symbiosis may be necessary. Example: Cattle Birds and Grazing Animals; Cattle are found in savannah climate. They generally feed by insects on buffalo, giraffes, impalas and other large mammals. They eliminate ticks, fleas, lice and other insects as they can cause infection and disease. In addition, these birds will alert grazing animals to the presence of predators by making a loud warning call. By keeping these birds and bison together in modern zoological gardens, the problem of bugs is eliminated naturally and the visitors are taught about mutualism. (Brown, 2019)
Image13 : Artem Korenut (2017) Buffaloes and crows sharing the same area - New Delhi Zoo (India)
B.2. COMMENSALISM: While one of the species living in the same environment benefits from its relationship with the other species, the other species is not affected by this situation. In these associations, the waste, metabolic byproduct, movement, or body of one of the living creatures generally provides food or host benefit for the other living thing. Example: Small fish that are being caught in sharks take advantage of the leftovers of sharks’ food. In aquariums, small fish species and sharks are not kept in different tanks; this saves space and creates good examples for teaching commensalism. (Brown, 2019)
Image14: James MacDonald (2019) Shark and remoras fish sharing the same aquarium
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