Hot Desert
In the hot desert symbiotic relationships include parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and predator-prey. An example of parasitism is the tsetse fly biting a camel and feeding off of its blood. It is parasitism because the fly benefits from the nutrients in the blood but the camel receives a fever, weakness, and sometimes death. An example of commensalism in the hot desert includes when a bird builds its nest in a prickly pear cactus. The bird is benefiting because the cactus is providing protection for its young. The cactus is not being affected by the bird building a nest in it. Since only one organism benefits and the other is not affected their relationship can be described as commensalism. An example of mutualism in the desert, is when insects like bees pollinate the flowers on specific types of cacti or flowers like the Mexican poppy. The bees are benefiting because they're gaining the nutrients that allow them to make honey and the bees are dispersing the seeds, and are aiding the cacti in their reproductive cycles. Both organisms benefiting from their relationship, classify it as mutualism. A predator-prey relationship includes a hawk consuming a snake. The snake is prey to its predator, a hawk.
Cold Desert
In the cold desert symbiotic relationships include mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and predator-prey. An example of mutualism in the cold desert is between lichen and the cellulous within it. The cellulous is breaking down the glucose, benefiting the Lichen and The Lichen provides a habitat for the cellulous. Both organisms benefiting classify their relationship as mutualism. An example of commensalism in the cold desert include tiny fish (tadpoles) swimming under larger fish for protection from their neutral predators. The larger fish are not bothered by the smaller fish. Since the smaller fish are benefiting and the larger fish is not being affected, their relationship can be classified as commensalism. An example of parasitism in the cold desert is when a penguin leaves its egg in another nest to be taken care of while removing the other egg. For penguins it is strenuous for them to have to watch their young. A penguin benefits when it leaves its egg in another nest to be taken care of by another penguin. The penguin egg being removed is harmed because its chances of surviving and hatching are decreased. One organism benefiting, and the other organism being harmed classifies their relationship as parasitism. An example of a predator-prey relationship in the cold desert includes a mountain lion consuming a caribou. The caribou is prey to its predator, the mountain lion. Another example of a predator-prey relationship in the cold desert includes a wolf consuming a jackrabbit. The jackrabbit is prey to its predator, a wolf.
Definitions:
Symbiotic Relationships: describing the mutual relationship between organisms
Commensalism: when both organisms gain from their relationship
Predator-Prey: describing an animal eating another animal
Mutualism: when both organisms gain from their relationship
Parasitism: when one organism is benefiting and the organism is being harmed
Symbiotic Relationships: describing the mutual relationship between organisms
Commensalism: when both organisms gain from their relationship
Predator-Prey: describing an animal eating another animal
Mutualism: when both organisms gain from their relationship
Parasitism: when one organism is benefiting and the organism is being harmed