Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic relationships are very important in every ecosystem. There are many symbiotic relationships including the following:
Mutualism
Parasitism
Mutualism
- Nectarivorous birds, such as the the cape sugarbird, feed on the nectar from the King Protea flower. As they try to reach the nectar, pollen may get on their beak. Both organisms benefit from this relationship because the bird gets food and the bird helps the flower to pollinate.
- Australian vultures can eat carcasses that may be dangerous to other animals. The vulture gets food and the quoll, which catches diseases easily, will avoid the risk of catching diseases from these dangerous carcasses.
- Kangaroos live under or in trees. There trees provide shelter and shade for the kangaroo. The trees receive nothing.
- Dung beetles break up many animal's manure and put it back into the soil. The beetle gets food and the animals are unaffected.
Parasitism
- Kangaroos are susceptible to ticks. The ticks suck the kangaroos blood. The kangaroo is harmed and the tick gets food and shelter.
- The Microporus Xanthopus fungus takes nutrients away from the Acacia tree. The tree will eventually die due to the lack of nutrients, and the tree benefits from getting nutrients.