Ecology

• Ecological Niche

  An organism's role and position within its environment.
• Clownfish and Sea Anemone

  Mutualistic relationship: Clownfish receive protection, and the anemone benefits from the fish's waste and aeration.
• Remora fish and Shark

  Commensalistic relationship: Remora fish feed on the shark's leftover food.
• Lion and Antelope

  Predatory relationship: The lion benefits by eating the antelope, while the antelope is harmed.
• Tapeworm and Human

  Parasitic relationship: The tapeworm benefits from the human's nutrients, while the human is harmed.
• Coral and Zooxanthellae


  Symbiotic relationship: Coral provides a home for the algae, and the algae produce nutrients for the coral.
• Nestling and Cowbird

  Brood parasite: Cowbird lays eggs in other birds' nests, and the host parents raise the cowbird's young.
• Flowers and Bees

  Mutualistic relationship: Flowers provide nectar for bees, and bees pollinate the flowers.
• Sharks and Remora Fish

  Mutualistic relationship: Remora fish attach themselves to sharks and feed on parasites and leftovers, while the sharks benefit from the clean-up service.
• Fungi and Tree Roots

  Mutualistic relationship: Fungi form mycorrhizal relationships with tree roots, providing nutrients and water in exchange for carbohydrates.
• Birds and Symbiotic Lice

  Mutualistic relationship: Some bird species have symbiotic relationships with lice that live on their feathers, providing protection from parasites and other insects.
• Predation Pressure


  The intensity of predation on a prey population.
• Niche Partitioning


  The process of different species occupying different environments or using different resources to reduce competition.
• Intraspecific Competition


  Competition between members of the same species.
• Parasitism

  One organism benefits, the other is harmed.
• Commensalism

  One organism benefits, the other is unaffected.
• Mutualism


  A beneficial interaction where both organisms profit.
• Symbiosis


  A close and often long-term relationship between two organisms.
• Bacteria and Legume Plants

  Mutualistic relationship: Legume plants provide shelter and nutrients for certain bacteria, which in turn fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plant.
• Hydra and Algae

  Mutualistic relationship: Hydra animals provide shelter for algae, which photosynthesize and produce nutrients for the hydra.
• Ants and Aphids

  Mutualistic relationship: Ants protect aphids from predators and other insects, and the aphids secrete sweet substances that ants feed on.
• Flatworms and Snails

  Commensalistic relationship: Flatworms attach themselves to snails and feed on the snail's blood, while the snail is unaffected.
• Sea Cucumbers and Bacteria

  Mutualistic relationship: Sea cucumbers produce a substance that attracts certain bacteria, which help to break down organic matter and recycle nutrients.
• Clownfish and Sea Anemone

  Mutualistic relationship: Clownfish live among the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone, which would be deadly to most other fish, due to the anemone's stinging cells called nematocysts.