Ectosymbiosis
Under ectosymbiosis refers to the coexistence of two species ( interspecific relationship ) that are closely linked to their mutual benefit ( Greek συμβίωσις Symbiosis , German , together ' ). The symbionts live outside of each other ( ancient Greek ἐκτός ektós , German 'outside' ). The counterpart to ectosymbiosis is endosymbiosis .
The hermit crab with a parasite rose is a prime example . The parasite rose with the help of the crab climbs onto its snail shell and then keeps all enemies away. In return, she benefits from the cancer's mobility and is allowed to participate in meals. Many hermit crabs even take their parasite rose with them when they move to their new home.
The transition to ectoparasitism is fluid and ranges from mutualism (with mutual benefit) to commensalism (only one of the partners has benefits, the other has neither advantages nor disadvantages) to parasitism . Examples are mistletoe , plant lice, and human head lice .
A variation is the exosymbiosis (from Greek ἔξω exo , German , 'except, outside, outside' ) according to W. Probst: Here the partners are in (permanent) contact via their outer surface. Examples are the lichen symbiosis and Epixenosomen (to the Verrucomicrobia bacteria belonging) of the eyelash animalcule Euplotidium .
See also
Web links
- Harald Ebert, Sebastian Rühle: Gorgonien-Lexikon , Universität Karlsruhe: Biology of the sponges, §Associated microorganisms
References and comments
- ↑ a b Wilfried Probst: Early evolution and symbiosis , European University of Flensburg, Institute of Biology and General Studies and Didactics: §Pflanzentiere and Kleptoplasten , accessed on 19 April 2019
- ↑ English Epixenosomes
- ↑ Giovanna Rosati, Giulio Petroni, Silvia Quochi, Letizia Modeo, Franco Verni: Epixenosomes: Peculiar Epibionts of the Hypotrich Ciliate Euplotidium Itoi Defend Their Host Against Predators . In: Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . 46, No. 3, May 1, 1999, ISSN 1550-7408 , pp. 278-282. doi : 10.1111 / j.1550-7408.1999.tb05125.x .