kommensíal

Kommensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two different species of organisms where one organism, the commensal, benefits and the other organism, the host, is neither harmed nor helped. This is distinct from mutualism, where both species benefit, and parasitism, where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Examples of commensalism can be found across various ecosystems. Barnacles attaching themselves to whales are a classic illustration. The barnacles gain a place to live and filter feed as the whale moves through the water, while the whale is generally unaffected by their presence. Another common example is cattle egrets that follow grazing livestock. The egrets feed on insects and other small creatures disturbed by the cattle's movement. The cattle are not harmed, and the egrets benefit from an easily accessible food source. Epiphytic plants, such as orchids and ferns that grow on trees, also exhibit commensalism. They use the tree for support and access to sunlight without drawing nutrients or causing damage to the tree itself.

The key characteristic of commensalism is the one-sided benefit with no significant impact on the host organism. While in some cases there might be a very minor, almost negligible effect, the defining feature is the absence of harm or benefit to the host. This type of interaction is widespread in nature and plays a role in the ecological dynamics of many communities.