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Click on the image above to find out more about symbiotic relationships.

Symbiosis

Symbiosis is a scientific term that describes how two different species of animal work together to survive. Most of the time these pairings are beneficial to one or both parties but sometimes they can also be harmful to one of the animals.
Symbiotic relationships in the ocean can be classified as: parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism


MUTUALISM
Mutualistic relationships in the oceans are when both species living closely together benefit equally from their relationship. Marine creatures in a mutualistic relationship rely on each other for food, protection, or other life functions
Examples: 
  • Sea Anemone and Clownfish 
  • Gobi and Pistol Shrimp 
  • Pilot fish and shark 
  • Remora and Stingray
COMMENSALISM
Commensalism relationships happen when one species benefits by living with, on, or in another species, known as the host, and the host neither benefits nor is harmed in the partnership.
Examples: 
  • Barnacle and whale 
  • Jellyfish and juvenile fish 
  • Sea cucumber and shrimp
PARASITISM
Parasitism relationships happen when one species benefits, and the other is harmed. In this symbiotic relationship, the species can either be the parasite or the host. The parasite species, even if it is smaller in size takes advantage of the host species. In a parasitic relationship, the host is harmed and does not receive any benefits from its parasite.
Examples:
  • cymothoid isopod
  • copepod

Remora and stingray

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Clown fish and anemone

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Pilot Fish and Shark

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Cucumber and shrimp

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Gobi fish & pistol shrimp

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TEACHERS' GUIDE
Resources

Decorator crab & sponge

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Whale and barnacle

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Moray eel & cleaner shrimp

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All images and film footage Copyright Lillian Heidel. 
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • A-Z Marine Species
    • Cnidaria (jellyfish, corals and anemones
    • Coral Reefs
    • Crustaceans >
      • Crustaceans Video Lesson Plan
    • Glossary of Marine Terms
    • Nudibranchs
    • Rays, stingrays and skates
    • Sea Stars, Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars
    • Seahorses and sea dragons >
      • Seahorses and sea dragons Lesson Plan
    • Seagrass - the lungs of the ocean
    • Strength in numbers - why fish swim in schools
    • Symbiosis >
      • Resources
      • Teacher's Guide
    • Whales
  • Teacher Resources
    • Curriculum Mapping >
      • Literacy Outcomes from ACARA
    • Curriculum Integration Ideas
    • Sustainability Cross-Curriculum Priority
    • Dichotomous Keys
  • All About SCUBA
  • Marine Citizen Science
    • Saving our oceans
    • UN Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Books