Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism Predation A house cat hunts mice hiding in the house, killing and eating it. Cordyceps fungus infiltrate their insect host, where their hyphae then grow into the insect's body and absorb nutrients from non-essential organs while controlling the insect's brain. When the fungus is ready to reproduce, it directs its host to march to a cool, moist location in the forest where spores erupt through the insect’s head to spread in the wind. These beautiful Bromeliad plants use their specialized roots to cling to tree trunks and branches taking nothing but support from trees; drawing their water and nutrients from air and moisture that accumulates between their leaves like tiny little cups, storing water for later. In the ocean, then anemone protects clownfish with its toxic tentacles and the clownfish rids the anemone of parasites and feeds it with fish poo. A pride of lions attack an elephant, providing food for the members of the pride. Aphids produce a sugary substance that ants love. Ants protect the aphids from predators and parasites. Red-billed oxpeckers travel around on herd animals and eat ticks and parasites living on the herd animal's skin. The birds get food, and the herd animals get pest control. Orca whales hunt seals, sharks, and penguins for their food. Algae grows on manatee's skin. The manatee is not affected. Ticks feed on the blood of larger hosts for sustenance and survival. Saliva from infected ticks can also transmit disease-causing pathogens into the host.
- Commensalism: Bromeliad plants relying on trees for support but giving nothing back to the tree.
- Mutualism: Clownfish and anemone benefiting each other by providing protection and food.
- Parasitism: Cordyceps fungus taking over its insect host and ultimately causing its death.
- Predation: Lions hunting and killing an elephant for food.
- Mutualism: Ants protecting aphids in exchange for the sugary substance they produce.
- Mutualism: Red-billed oxpeckers eating parasites off herd animals in return for food.
- Predation: Orca whales hunting and killing seals, sharks, and penguins for food.
- Commensalism: Algae growing on manatee's skin without affecting the manatee.
- Parasitism: Ticks feeding on hosts' blood for sustenance and potentially transmitting diseases.