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commensalism |
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commensalism (kəmĕn`səlĭz'əm), relationship between members of two different species of organisms in which one individual is usually only slightly benefited, while the other member is not affected at all by the relationship. For example, some flatworms live attached to the gills of the horseshoe crab, obtaining bits of food from the crab's meals; the crab is apparently unaffected. In many cases commensalism cannot be distinguished from parasitism (see parasite parasite, plant or animal that at some stage of its existence obtains its nourishment from another living organism called the host. Parasites may or may not harm the host, but they never benefit it. ..... Click the link for more information. ). See also competition competition, in biology, relationship between members of the same or different species in which individuals are adversely affected by those having the same living requirements, such as food or space. Intraspecific competition, i.e. ..... Click the link for more information. ; symbiosis symbiosis (sĭmbēō`sĭs), the habitual living together of organisms of different species. ..... Click the link for more information. . commensalism [kə′men·sə‚liz·əm] (ecology) An interspecific, symbiotic relationship in which two different species are associated, wherein one is benefited and the other neither benefited nor harmed. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Bacteria with increased mutation frequency and antibiotic resistance are enriched in the commensal flora of patients with high antibiotic usage. Gordts et al recovered organisms in 75% of the their patients, but growth was often poor and the predominant species suggested a commensal flora. Prevalence, expressed as percentage, of healthy children carrying antimicrobial drug-resistant Escherichia coli as part of their commensal flora and of children in whom resistant E. |
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