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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
What is commensalism?
Term "commensalism" comes from Latin words com (together) and mensa (table), literally translating as "shared table". It was first used by the French zoologist Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden in the 19th century, researching marine ecosystems.
Commensalism belongs to unilateral types of symbiosis:
- One organism (commensal) benefits from – access to food, shelter or other resources.
- Another organism (host) will neither harm nor benefit.
How does commensalism arise?
This phenomenon is usually the result of a long evolutionary process in which one species finds a way to benefit without affecting the other. Such a balance arises when:
- Species do not have the same resource needs.
- The commensal uses residues that the host does not need.
- The host is too large or strong to notice the impact from the commensal.
For example, small organisms settling on the bodies of large animals receive protection or transport, but do not affect the health of their host.
Types of commensalism
In nature, commensalism manifests itself in various forms:
1. Food commensalism
One organism consumes the food residues of another.
- Pilot fish and sharks: Pilots accompany sharks by feeding on their remains.
- Birds and livestock: Herons follow herds of cows, collecting insects, which they scare by moving through the grass.
2. Spatial commensalism
The commensal receives shelter or a place to live.
- Orchids on trees: Epiphytes (plants growing on other plants) use trees as a support for growth.
- Hermit Cancer and Sea Sponges: Sponges settle on crayfish shells, receiving free transportation, and the crayfish remains indifferent to its neighbor.
3. Forezia
The body uses another for transportation.
- Insect ticks: Some species of mites travel on flies or beetles to move more quickly between food sources.
- Animal seeds and fur: Plant seeds cling to animal fur and spread to new areas.
Commensalism in the human environment
We can see similar examples among people. Zoological or microbiological aspects are particularly visible here, but there are also domestic examples.
Natural examples:
- Birds and cities: Pigeons and crows live alongside humans, using nesting architecture and food scraps to survive.
- Commensal bacteria: Bacteria that feed on the secretions of sweat and sebaceous glands live on human skin without causing harm.
Household examples:
- "Neighbourly benefit": In large cities, small businesses (such as coffee shops) are often located near large supermarkets, gaining customers through their traffic.
Why is commensalism important?
Commensalism plays an important role in the stability of ecosystems.
- Saving resources: Commensals effectively use residual resources, which minimizes losses in nature.
- Biodiversity: Commensalism promotes the development of new ecological niches by supporting species diversity.
- Evolutionary adaptation: Through commensalism, species find new ways to survive, which increases the resilience of ecosystems to change.
Commensalism and society
In a broader context, the concept of commensalism can be applied to human relations. For example, in business or culture, situations often arise where one party benefits without harming the other. Such relationships foster cooperation and innovation.
In today's world, the idea of commensalism also reminds us of the importance of sustainable coexistence with nature. We can draw inspiration from nature to create relationships that are based on balance and harmony.
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