Symbiosis

• Genetic characteristics


  Genetic traits or gene variations that distinguish species from others
• Physical characteristics


  Distinct body features, such as size, shape, color, and texture
• Symbiosis


  The relationship between two different species, usually relating to living together
• Types of symbiotic relationships

  • Parasitism
  • Mutualism
  • Commensalism
• Parasitism


  One organism benefits and the other is harmed
• Mutualism


  Relationship benefits both organisms
• Commensalism


  One of the participating organisms benefits, but the other does not however there is no harm done to the second organism
• Niche


  Describes the role of an organism within the ecosystem
• Niche


  • Where an organism lives (habitat)
  • What an organism does (its role)
• Broad Niche


  Generalists - an organism with generalized requirements and adaptations that allow it to survive in many different conditions
• Narrow Niche


  Specialists - a type of organism that is adapted to very specific environments and having a narrow niche
• Specialization


  Adaptations for surviving in very specific environments
• Competition


  The struggle among individual organisms for access to limited resources, such as food or territory
• Interspecies competition


  Two or more species using the same limited resource
• Resource partitioning


  The division of a limited resource among two or more coexisting species such that the niche of each species differs slightly