kommensalistsed

Kommensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two different species of organisms where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. This interaction is distinct from mutualism, where both species benefit, and parasitism, where one species benefits at the expense of the other. In commensalism, the species that benefits, often called the commensal, derives advantages such as food, shelter, locomotion, or protection from the host species. The host species, meanwhile, experiences no significant positive or negative impact from the presence of the commensal.

Examples of commensalism are found across various ecosystems. Barnacles attaching themselves to whales is a classic illustration. The barnacles gain a place to live and access to food as the whale swims through nutrient-rich waters, while the whale is generally unaffected by the presence of the barnacles. Another example is the relationship between cattle egrets and grazing livestock. The egrets feed on insects and small animals that are disturbed by the movement of the cattle. The cattle are not harmed by the egrets, and the egrets gain a readily available food source. Epiphytic plants, such as orchids and ferns that grow on trees, also exhibit commensalism. They use the trees for support and access to sunlight without drawing nutrients or harming the tree itself. This ecological interaction plays a role in community structure and biodiversity.