Commensalism

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one benefits from the other but the other organism is unaffected. In other words, one party gets a benefit with no cost or harm to the other. Commensalism relationships are common in nature and provide many benefits for the organisms involved, from access to food and protection from predators to transportation and information. For example, a clownfish benefits from living inside the tentacles of an anemone, as the anemone provides the clownfish with protection from predators without being affected itself. Some mammals also have a commensal relationship with birds, with the birds pre-empting the mammals and eating the insects that live in their fur, providing the mammal with a form of cleaning. The significance and uses of commensalism in nature are clear. Not only is it beneficial for the organisms involved, but it also helps to maintain balance in the environment.