Question

What is commensalism?

Answer 1

Introduction to commensalism

Commensalism is a type of interspecific interaction in which one species is benefitted while the other species is neither harmed nor benefitted.

Examples of commensalism

Examples of commensalism are as follows:

• Egrets (birds) and grazing cattle: Cattle egrets are birds that catch the insects found near the cattle, which are otherwise hard to catch. In this interaction, only egrets are benefitted. While grazing, the cattle stir up and flush out insects from the vegetation which the bird feeds on.

• Orchids and mango tree: Orchids growing as epiphytes on mango trees are commensals as they benefit from the mango tree without in turn benefiting or harming the mango tree. Mango tree provides support to the branches of the orchid plant, without getting benefited or harmed.