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Symbiosis & Species Interactions Keystone Webquest
Describe biotic interactions in an ecosystem (e.g., competition, predation, symbiosis).
When ecologists talk about species interactions, they are talking about how organisms in the same community
interact with one another. Most of the interactions between species involve food: competition for the same
food supply, eating (predation), avoiding being eaten (avoiding predation). These interactions are often brief.
There are many cases, however, where two species live in close association for long periods of time. Such
associations are called symbiosis ("living together"). There are three types of symbiotic relationships:
parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism. Use the websites below to learn more about these interactions.
Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmL2F1t81Q Watch a video that introduces symbiosis.
Go to: http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/symbiosis.htm
Type of Symbiosis
Parasitism
Definition of interaction
Commensalism
Mutualism
Identify and explain the type of symbiosis displayed by the following organisms:
Organisms
Type of Symbiosis
Explanation
Ex: Tapeworm
Ex. Parasitism
Ex. Tapeworm gets nutrients and a home while
Human
living inside the human. The human doesn’t get all
the nutrients it needs.
White-winged dove
Sagaro Cactus
Cattle egrets
Grazing Animals
Oxpecker Birds
Rhino
Mosquitoes
Warm-Blooded Animals
Clownfish
Anemone
Organisms
Sea Lamprey
Fish
Type of Symbiosis
Explanation
Bromeliad Orchids
Tree Branches
Who is the parasite
Who is the host?
Who is the predator?
Who is the prey?
Go to: Tigershark vs. Loggerhead Turtle and Unlikely Travel Companions Watch the selected clips and
answer the following questions:
Clip 1: Shark & Turtle
How does the turtle protect itself?
Explain relationship is held between
the tiger shark and the loggerhead
turtle.
Clip 2: Unlikely Travel Companions
List three ways in which being near a
shark might be beneficial to a fish.
Classify each shark-fish relationship
shown in this clip as commensalism,
mutualism, or parasitism.
Mackerel/SharkSuckerfish / Shark –
Barber fish / Hammerhead-