Commensalism - Definition, types and examples

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 18 February 2021
Update Date: 17 May 2024
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Examples of Commensalism
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In nature, several symbiotic relationships occur between different organisms to achieve a goal. Symbiosis is precisely this long-term association between two organisms, which can be beneficial to both sides or not, as in the case of predation or parasitism. There are interactions, even, that not everyone involved knows they are part of a relationship. This is the case with commensalism.

In this article by Animal Expert Commensalism - Definition, types and examples you will better understand what types exist and how they occur. Keep reading!

what is commensalism

Commensalism in biology is defined as the relationship between two organisms of different species, in which one of them benefits and the other gets nothing, neither positive nor negative. The outcome of the relationship for one of the parties is neutral.


Commensalism is a type of symbiosis that, unlike others, such as parasitism or predation, does not result in anything negative for any of the parties involved. On the other hand, the difference between mutualism and commensalism is that, in the first case, both parties get benefits.

Commensalism in microbiology has also been widely studied. For example, in a water column, microorganisms that live close to the surface often benefit from sunlight, which is essential for their development. Its waste travels through the water column until it reaches the bottom, where sunlight and oxygen are scarce. There, the anaerobic microorganisms (which do not need oxygen to live) transform substances that arrive from the surface into a source of nutrients and energy.

The microorganisms in the bottom part benefit from the microorganisms on the surface, whereas the latter get nothing. The term amensalism can be highlighted here. Unlike commensalism, in these relationships one party is impaired while the other remains unaffected. This is the case with some fungi, such as penicillium, which secrete antibiotics, preventing the proliferation of bacteria.


Types of Commensalism

When studying the relationships established between living beings, the great variety that exists forces us to subclassify commensalism into three different types, since there is no single way in which animals benefit as in mutualism:

  • Foresis: the term phoresis refers to the relationship established between two species when one of them transports the other. In most cases, the transporter doesn't even know it's carrying another living thing.
  • Tenancy: Tenantism occurs when a species occupies the body of another to live, without causing it any kind of discomfort.
  • Metabiosis: This type of commensalism is very common in the animal kingdom. It occurs when one species feeds on the waste of another, such as its feces or its own decaying body, or as in the case of the anaerobic microorganisms we discussed earlier.

Examples of Commensalism

There are many commensalism relationships in the animal kingdom. Many of them occur between members of this kingdom with organisms from the plant kingdom. Check out some examples of commensalism:


1. Commensalism between harvestmen and ants

In certain areas of Argentina, where this relationship was discovered, the climate is very dry and makes the presence of harvestmen, social animals belonging to the order of arachnids. Anthills offer a more humid microclimate that favors harvestmen. They live inside the anthills without causing benefit or harm to the ants.

2. Commensalism between the giant El Hierro lizard and the yellow-legged gull

The non-flying chicks of this species of seagull (larus michahellis) regurgitate some of their food when they feel too full or are disturbed by other adult seagulls. Thus, the giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) benefits from feed the regurgitated insects by the young seagull.

3. Commensalism between finches and black starlings

The starlings (single-color sturnus), present in León, northwestern Spain, feed on blackberries in the summer. When they eat, they drop seeds on the ground or on the leaves of the mulberry tree. The finches (fringilla coelebs), granivorous animals, search between the leaves and the soil for the seeds discarded by starlings, even removing them directly from the feces of the starlings.

4. Commensalism between flies and ham mites

This is a very curious example of phoresis. In the drying rooms of ham production, problems sometimes occur with mites, which bite the ham and make it unsuitable for sale. As the hams are hung from the ceiling, the invasion of mites seems difficult. It turns out that these animals ride on the flies who visit the hams. When they reach a ham, the mites leave the fly. Flies don't gain anything, they don't even realize they're carrying mites.

5. Commensalism between birds and trees

the birds that nest in trees, they get protection from it and a place to build their nest. Trees receive nothing, neither positive nor negative.

6. Commensalism between the remora and the shark

This is one of the most common examples of commensalism. In it, the remora, a type of fish, attaches itself to the shark's body to take advantage of the remains of its food and, of course, to be transported. In this way, there is no harm done to the shark.

7. Commensalism between lions and hyenas

Observing this type of commensalism was made even easier by the movie The Lion King. What happens is that the hyenas take advantage of the leftovers from hunting lions. They are waiting and, when the lions have finished feeding, it is time for these also carnivores of nature, without inflicting any damage on this relationship.

Now that you know examples of commensalism and understand its meaning, do you want to know more about the animal world? Watch the video to meet 10 wild animals from the African jungle:

If you want to read more articles similar to Commensalism - Definition, types and examples, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.