Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
990,486,130 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

commensalism

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
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. .
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Commensalism and conflict: the human primate interface.
Transmission of human and Macaque Plasmodium spp. to ex-captive ... by Lowenberger, Carl / Emerging Infectious Diseases
The odd coupling falls under the umbrella category of symbiosis but doesn't fit neatly into the standard sub-categories of parasitism, mutualism or commensalism, McClintock says.
Kidnapped plankton shares its defenses by Amato, Ivan / Science News
Temple monkeys and health implications of commensalism, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Viruses from nonhuman primates by Viscidi, Raphael / Emerging Infectious Diseases
More results
 
Encyclopedia browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.