There are many examples of friendly partnerships in nature. Pilot fish swim alongside sharks, eating leftover bits of food and removing parasites from the shark, while never having to fear becoming a meal themselves. Even in the human body, helpful bacteria is found. Some of these friendships go beyond helping only the animals engaged in them. Here are five examples of symbiotic relationships that help the environment.
Corpse Flower
Known for its horrifying stench, the corpse flower has no roots or stem of its own. Instead, this parasitic plant burrows into vines and tree roots of other plants. It absorbs nutrients from its host, eventually devouring the plant and blossoming its own putrid petals. This is what is known as a parasitic symbiosis, where one party is harmed for the benefit of the other.
Lemur
A more mutual friendship occurs between the lemur and the trees in which it feeds. Lemurs eat fruit as they leap from tree to tree in their forest homes. The undigested seeds are then deposited on the forest floor where, thanks to their journey through the lemur’s digestive system, they are 300 percent more likely to germinate and create new plants. More trees, in turn, means more food for the lemur.
Clownfish
Under the sea, there are numerous companionable relationships. The sea anemone is protected from being eaten by predators due to the paralyzing neurotoxin contained in its tentacles, with one exception: the clownfish. This colorful fish coats itself in protective mucous, allowing it to hide with the anemone without being stung. As a gesture of gratitude, the clownfish removes parasites from its host and even attracts prey, drawing them in with its bright orange and white stripes.
Grouper
The grouper and moray eel swim, literally, in different circles. Although eels are reef dwellers and grouper tend to stay in open water, the two have worked out an extraordinary communication system when it comes to hunting. When fish hide among the corals to escape the grouper, the hunter will shake its head at the eel. This signals the eel to chase after the secreted fish, who now has to choose between being captured by the eel or leaving the reef and being devoured by the grouper.
Farmed Salmon
One of the downsides of farmed fish is that the open net cages the fish are raised in attract sea lice and other parasites, which can cause infections that can spread to wild fish populations as well. Enter the cleaner fish. These hungry little guys eat the parasites that could harm the salmon, resulting in healthier fish going to market and plenty of food for the cleaner fish.
If you’re interested in learning more about symbiotic relationships that help the environment, check out 3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Forest, Symbiotic Relationships of the Bird World, Symbiotic Relationships in the Arctic.
Featured Image from Sebastian Pena Lambarri/Unsplash
