What is Symbiotic nutrition(commensalism)?

Symbiotic nutrition refers to a type of nutritional relationship between different species where they live in close proximity to each other and interact in a way that benefits one or both of the species involved. Commensalism is a specific form of symbiotic nutrition that describes a relationship in which one species benefits from the association while the other neither benefits nor is harmed.

In commensalism, one species, known as the commensal, benefits by obtaining some form of resources or support from the other species, known as the host, without causing any harm or benefit to the host. This relationship can involve various forms of interaction, such as:

Habitat Commensalism: One species may use the habitat of another without affecting the host. For example, birds nesting in tree branches or barnacles attaching themselves to the shells of turtles or the hulls of ships.

Phoresy: This is when one organism uses another for transportation. For instance, mites or ticks attaching themselves to larger animals to move to new locations.

Microbiota: In the human body, there are numerous examples of commensal relationships. Bacteria in our digestive system, for example, can help us digest food without harming us.

Epiphytic Plants: Some plants grow on the surface of other plants, such as epiphytic orchids, without causing harm to the host plant.

It's important to note that commensalism is just one of several types of symbiotic relationships, which also include mutualism (where both species benefit) and parasitism (where one species benefits at the expense of the other). Symbiotic relationships are fascinating examples of how different species can interact in the natural world, and they play important roles in ecosystems and the overall functioning of ecosystems.