10 Species interactions in Ecosystem with examples || Ecology

 Lets us understand ten species interactions with examples. You can watch our video here.

10 Species Interactions in Ecosystem with Examples-Ecology 6 Minutes

10 Species interactions in Ecosystem with examples|| Ecology

Type of Interaction

Description

Examples

Effect on Species A

Effect on Species B

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Bees and flowering plants: Bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar.
Clownfish and sea anemones: Clownfish receive protection from predators while providing nutrients to the anemones.
Oxpeckers and large mammals: Birds eat parasites off the skin of mammals like rhinos and buffalo.

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Commensalism

One species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Barnacles on whales: Barnacles attach to whales for mobility and feeding without affecting the whale.
Epiphytic plants on trees: Plants like orchids grow on trees to access sunlight without harming the tree.
Remoras and sharks: Remoras attach to sharks for transportation and feeding on leftover scraps.

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Parasitism

One species benefits at the expense of the other.

Tapeworms in mammals: Tapeworms live in the intestines of hosts, absorbing nutrients.
Fleas on dogs: Fleas feed on the blood of dogs, causing discomfort and potential health issues.
Mistress plants (e.g., dodder): These plants attach to host plants and extract nutrients.

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Amensalism

One species is harmed while the other is unaffected.

Penicillin-producing mold killing bacteria: The mold releases substances that inhibit bacterial growth.
Large trees shading smaller plants: The shade can inhibit growth of understory plants without affecting the tree itself.
Black walnut trees releasing juglone: This chemical inhibits growth of nearby plants but does not affect the walnut tree.

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Competition

Both species are negatively affected as they compete for the same resources.

 Two bird species competing for nesting sites in a tree: Both may have reduced reproductive success due to limited space.
Plants competing for sunlight in a dense forest: Taller plants may overshadow shorter ones, limiting their growth.
Fish competing for food in a shared habitat: Species like trout and bass may compete for similar food sources.

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Predation

One species (predator) benefits by consuming another (prey).

Lions hunting zebras: Lions gain nourishment while zebras face mortality risk.
Frogs eating insects: Frogs benefit from food while insects are consumed.
Eagles preying on rabbits: Eagles obtain sustenance at the expense of rabbit populations.

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Neutralism

Neither species affects the other; they coexist without interaction.

Frogs and rabbits living in the same habitat with little interaction: Both species occupy similar environments without influencing each other.
Various plant species growing in a meadow without influencing each other's growth: Species coexist without competition or mutual benefit.
Birds nesting in trees that do not affect tree health or growth.

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Parasitoidism

One organism (the parasitoid) benefits by living on or in a host organism, eventually killing it.

Wasps laying eggs inside caterpillars: The larvae consume the caterpillar from within.
Certain flies developing inside other insects (e.g., tachinid flies): The host insect is ultimately killed as the fly larvae mature.
Bees that lay eggs in beetles, where larvae consume the beetle as they develop.

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Herbivory

One species (herbivore) feeds on plants, benefiting from the energy obtained while potentially harming the plant.

Cows grazing on grass: Cows obtain nutrition while grass may suffer damage.
Caterpillars feeding on leaves of various plants: Caterpillars gain energy while damaging plant foliage.
Elephants feeding on tree bark, which can lead to tree death or stunted growth.

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Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.

- Lichens (algae and fungi).
- Clownfish and sea anemones.

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