commensalism noun - a of relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither significantly harmed nor receives significant benefits.

commensal adjective or noun - an organism that benefits from such a relationship with another organism

Examples include:

Milichiid flies

Photos illustrating commensal relationships:

Remarks

Related concepts, which need to be added to the glossary:

phoresy

kleptoparasitism

parasitism

mutualism

Internet References

Wikipedia--Commensalism

Contributed by Cotinis on 5 June, 2009 - 9:04am

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