commensalism

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commensalism

commensalism , relationship between members of two different species of organisms in which one individual is usually only slightly benefited, while the other member is not affected at all by the relationship. For example, some flatworms live attached to the gills of the horseshoe crab, obtaining bits of food from the crab's meals; the crab is apparently unaffected. In many cases commensalism cannot be distinguished from parasitism (see parasite ). See also competition ; symbiosis .

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commensalism

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Â© A Dictionary of Plant Sciences 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

commensalism The interaction between species populations in which one species, the commensal, benefits from another, sometimes called the host, but this other is not affected. Compare MUTUALISM and PARASITISM.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "commensalism." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 22 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "commensalism." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved November 22, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-commensalism.html

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commensalism

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Â© A Dictionary of Biology 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

commensalism An interaction between two animal or plant species that habitually live together in which one species (the commensal) benefits from the association while the other is not significantly affected. For example, the burrows of many marine worms contain commensals that take advantage of the shelter provided but do not affect the worm.

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