Commensalisma relationship between individuals of two species in which one species benefits from the other without either harming or benefiting the latter. An example of a commensalism on the African savanna is the relationship between the hyena and a lion. The lion hunts prey for its survival, and the hyena, the 'scavenger' benefits from the lion kill and interactions with lions by gaining food. However, the lion is not greatly affected due to it neither gaining or losing anything in its overall survival chances.
|
Mutualisma relationship between organisms of two different species in which each is benefited. The African black rhinoceros and the oxpecker have a mutualistic relationship. The oxpecker feeds off ticks, flies, and maggots that cling to the rhino, benefiting by obtaining a food source. The rhino also benefits because the oxpecker removes the pests found upon it, therefore mutually benefiting both species. |
Parasitisma relationship in which a parasite obtains benefits from a host which it usually injures. In the parasitic relationship between the African Elephant and the tick, the parasite feeds off of the elephant's blood to gain a food source. The elephant's harmed because it is losing blood and it can also obtain harmful diseases from the tick. A similar parasitic relationship is that between the rhino and tick, where the rhino is the host to the parasitic tick, which absorbs blood from the rhino. |
("Commensalism")
("Mutualism")
("Mutualism")
Role of Predation
Predation provides energy to prolong the life and promote the reproduction of the organism that does the killing to the detriment of the prey. At the level of the community, predation reduces the number of individuals in the prey population. Genetically-determined traits that improve an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce will be passed on to its offspring. Predators must capture sufficient food to survive and pass down traits that allow them to hunt successfully. At the same time, the prey must avoid being eaten to reproduce and to evolve better adaptations.
(Stevens)
(Stevens)