Commensalism

Commensalism is a form of symbiotic relationship. It is a relationship between different species where one organism gains benefit from the relationship and the other is unaffected.

A good example of a commensalism is that of smaller organisms 'hitching' a lift on larger organisms (this is known as Phoresy). The smaller organism derives benefit from the other organism and the larger organism is unaffected.

Another example of phoresy; a photograph of mites using an adult fly (Pseudolynchia canariensis) as a way of getting to a new location.
Photograph by Alvesgaspar licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Mutualism
• Parasitism
• Phoresy
• Symbiosis

Related groups of terms

• General biology

See other words beginning with C