Question

Define the following terms and give on example for each:
A. Commensalism
B. Parasitism
C. Camouflage
D. Mutualism
E. Interspecific competition

Answer 1

As we know that under natural conditions organisms live together influencing each other’s life directly or indirectly. They are interdependent on each other for food, space, reproduction and protection and these interactions are important for the survival of different species and the community as a group.

Complete answer:

We have learnt that the interaction between populations of species in a community are broadly categorized into positive and negative interactions. The positive interactions is the one where either both participating species or at least one of the species gets benefits and neither is harmed.
Mutualism comes under this category and it is a symbiotic relationship between members of two different species in which both members get benefits and neither is harmed. For example- nitrogen fixing bacteria Rhizobium which lives in root nodules of legumes and gets nutrition from them and in return bacteria fixes the nitrogen for plants.
Next is Commensalism which is again a symbiotic relationship between two species but only one species gets benefited and the other is neither harmed nor benefited. For instance: Epiphytes (orchids) which use trees or their branches for support without any harm to the tree.
Next is Parasitism, a relationship between two species where one (parasite) gets benefited for growth and reproduction and the other (host) is harmed. For instance: Hookworms that live in the host’s gut.
Then we have Camouflage which is basically a defense or a tactic that one species uses to disguise their appearance to blend into the surrounding and mask their location, identity and movement to protect themselves from the prey. For example Leaf tailed Gecko lizards.
Lastly we have Interspecific competition that occurs between individuals of two different species and growth and survival of one species is negatively affected either directly or indirectly as they compete for the same resource. For example: leopards and lions feed on the same prey.

Note:
Interesting fact about interactions:

Euplectella of phylum Porifera is given as a marriage gift in Japan and it lives in commensalism relationship with the young Shrimp. The shrimp gets trapped inside the sponge’s body and remains there till death, so this relationship symbolises the union till death.
Remora (sucker fish) attaches itself with the body of a shark and gets food and protection from it and In return it is neither benefited or harmed thus exhibiting commensalism relationship.