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Here are some
examples of
Commensalism
!
Cattle egret and cows
The cattle egret and cows are an
example of commensalism because
whenever cows and other such
livestock are in the fields, they tend to
move insects that have been nestling
on the grass. The cattle egret then
catches them and preys upon them.
The cattle egret gets a benefit from this
because they manage to get the insects
that they wish to prey on and the cow
(or other livestock) remains unaffected
or unharmed.
Whales and barnacles
Barnacles usually attach
themselves to sea like rocks or
preferably whales, seat turtles,
etc. When whales and such
creatures travel, the barnacles
get access to nutrient rich waters
and often, some of the food that
are left behind by the whale.
The barnacle catches it and eats
it. It leaves the whale unharmed
or unaffected.
Caribou and fox
One of the examples of
commensalism in the tundra is
between the caribou and the arctic fox.
The fox follows the caribou while it’s
looking for its prey. The caribou tends
to dig in the snow to get its food. Once
it digs up the soil, the arctic fox comes
and hunts some of the mammals that
have come closer to the surface due to
the digging action of the caribou. The
caribou remains unaffected while the
arctic fox benefits from its actions.
Remora sharks and whales
The relationship between Remora sharks and whales is yet another example of
commensalism. The remora sharks attach themselves to the whales and then,
feed on the remains from the whale's food.
Monarch butterfly and the Viceroy
butterfly
Monarch butterflies contain cardiac
glycosides, which are poisonous to frogs
and other vertebrates that prey on
butterflies, so they don’t eat the Monarch
butterfly. However, the Viceroy butterfly
does not contain cardiac glycosides so it
copies the monarch butterflies so it does
not get preyed on. The monarch butterflies
are unaffected and the Viceroy butterflies
gets its benefit by mimicking the Monarch
butterflies.
Trees and orchids
Trees and orchids are
another example of
commensalism because
the orchids get to live in a
suitable location. It gets
to live closer to sunlight,
which orchids need. The
tree is unaffected and
unharmed.
Flatworm and crab
The flatworm
benefits from eating
bits of food from
what the crab ate.
The Horseshoe Crab
is unharmed and
unaffected.
Bibliography; Photos
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http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4102/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4102-10909.jpg
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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xEw_wnCvE_0/SZh-ZnQIolI/AAAAAAAAHfU/iciSBiI21W4/s400/cow_bird.jpg
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http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/c/caribou021.jpg
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http://www.imagaman.com/Nature/Insects/Monarch-Butterflies/i-Dmsj3LW/1/L/K76637cc-L.jpg
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http://huahuafarm.com/Tree%20Orchid.jpg
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http://www.bee-hexagon.net/files/image/beeFlowerCassino.jpg
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http://u.jimdo.com/www35/o/s2774a79c19d14e22/img/ie579880893072ab4/1301905127/std/crab-worm-photo-paul-macklin.jpg
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http://en.bestpicturesof.com/remora%20whale
Bibliography; Information
S http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-of-
commensalism.html
S The science in action 7 textbook