SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Mutualism in the Rainforest's The relationship between the capuchin monkeys and flowering trees in the tropical rainforests is the best example of mutualism in this biome. When the capuchin monkey feeds on nectar in these flowers by lapping it up, it gets pollen on its face - which it eventually transfers to other flowers in the process of feeding on them. In this way, the trees provide the capuchin species with food, while the capuchin monkey facilitates pollination of flowers of this tree. Commensalism in the Rainforest's The relationship between Ecitoninae - the New World army ants, inhabiting the rainforest floor and antbirds - small dull-colored South American bird species, is the best example of commensalism in rainforest. These army ants are notorious for their tendency to take on anything that comes in their path while they march the forest floor. The antbirds, on the other hand, follow this swarm of ants and feed on whatever is left behind after the ants are done with their share. The ants manage to shake the floor as they march and the ruffles insects on the floor fly up and are eaten by the antibirds. In this way, the antbirds benefit from the army ants, but the army ants are not benefited from the antbirds. Parasitism in the Rainforest's The dependence of phorid fly on leaf-cutter ants is the best example of parasitism in the tropical rainforest biome. When these leaf-cutter ants are collecting leaves, the phorid flies attack them and lay their eggs in the crevices of the worker ant's head. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the ant's body and feeds on it, thus killing the ant. In this manner, the phorid fly gets benefited from the leaf-cutter ants, but the leaf-cutters have to bear the brunt of their dependence. |
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Going through this information must have helped you understand what the different types of symbiotic relationships are. It is important to study these biological interdependence relationships as they give you a better picture of the Earth's biodiversity. Read more