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Biology LibreTexts

Chapter 17: Symbioses

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Learning Objectives
  • Introduce and explore the types of mutualisms, parasitisms, commensalisms
  • Explore theories that explain the evolution of mutualisms
  • Discuss hypotheses regarding the maintenance of mutualistic relationships
Video

 

Summary

A commensal relationship occurs when one species benefits from a close prolonged interaction, while the other neither benefits nor is harmed. A mutualism occurs when two species benefit from their interaction, and can be generalized into three types: resource-resource, service-resource, and service-service.  Many mutualisms are thought to have evolved from antagonistic interactions, such as parasite-host relationships.  


Chapter 17: Symbioses is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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