ParasitismParasitismThe various types of interactions are classified as per the nature of these interactions to one or both the species for e.g. mutualism, competition, parasitism, predation, commensalism, amensalism, etc.
i. Mutualism: The type of interaction in which both the species are benefitted is called as mutualism.
- This interaction is obligatory and interdependent.
- In this type of interaction, both species - alga and lichen are benefited.
ii. Competition: Competition is the type of interaction where both the species are harmed.
- Totally unrelated species may compete for the same resource e.g. in shallow creeks on the west coast of Mumbai, visiting flamingos and resident fish compete for their common food, the zooplankton.
- However, resources need not always be limiting for competition to occur. In competition, the feeding efficiency of one species is reduced due to the interference or inhibitory presence of the other species, even if resources (food and space) are abundant, e.g. Leopards do not hunt in close proximity of lion pride.
iii. Parasitism:
- In parasitism, only one species (parasite) is benefited and the interaction is detrimental to other species (host).
- Parasitism has evolved in so many taxonomic groups from plants to higher vertebrates.