Mutualism by Mark van der Boor

ZEBRA AND OXPECKER

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 17:07:24 UTC

The relation between zebras and oxpeckers is similar to the relation that the Egyptian plover and the Nile crocodile have. This is because the oxpeckers land on zebras and eat the parasites that live on its skin. This provides an easily accessible food source for the oxpeckers and the zebras get rid of the parasites which means that they will not die of parasites. Another benefitial factor for both species is that when there is danger the oxpeckers fly up in the air screaming which warns the zebras that there is danger.

DEFINITION

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 17:08:24 UTC

A mutualistic relationship happens when organisms from different species benefit each other. Most likely, the organisms taking part have very different living requirements.

Hermit crab

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 17:47:45 UTC

Dardanus calidus

Sea anemone

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 17:48:52 UTC

Calliactis parasitica

Egyptian plover

2015-04-09 18:54:45 UTC

Pluvianus aegyptius

Nile crocodile

2015-04-09 18:55:16 UTC

Crocodylus niloticus

Zebra

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:19:59 UTC

Equus zebra

Equus quagga

Equus grevyi

Oxpecker

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:20:05 UTC

Buphagus Africanus

AUTHORS

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:42:39 UTC

Fernando Torre

Marta Sedeño Palomar

Miguel Pérez Lozano

Mark van der Boor

HERMIT CRAB AND SEA ANEMONE

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:48:30 UTC

The relation between the Hermit crab and the Anemone is that the Anemone grows on the crabs back. This allows the crab to camouflage itself and hide from predators while the Hermit crab is transported and is able to spread its spores further and feed itself.

EGYPTIAN PLOVER AND NILE CROCODILE

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:50:28 UTC

The relation that these two animals have is a particular one as the predator, the Nile crocodile, rests ashore with its mouth open allowing the Egyptian plover feast on the parasites that are found in the crocodiles mouth. In short, the plover gets food from the crocodile while the crocodile gets free dental surgery. PS: The plover does not die in the end.

HUMMINGBIRD AND TROPICAL FLOWERS

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 19:52:20 UTC

The relation between these two different species is similar to the one of the bees and the flowers. While the hummingbird uses the flower for feeding purposes, the polen of the flower sticks to his feathers. After the hummingbird is done feeding, it flies away carrying the polen from the flower and this way inseminating other flowers.

markvanderboor1 — 2015-04-09 20:15:49 UTC