Question

Can mutualism metamorphose to parasitism?

Answer 1

Parasitism:

1. It is an association where one organism, the parasite, causes harm to another, the host.
2. Examples of tapeworms, fleas, barnacles, etc.

Mutualism:

1. It is a relationship between the host and a symbiont, where both organisms benefit and no one is harmed.
2. Example- corals & algae, humans & bacteria, etc.
3. Mutualism can metamorphose into parasitism.
4. For example- the oxpeckers are mutualists with the antelopes when removing ectoparasites. However, they become harmful to the antelopes when they peck their scabs and feed on their blood.