symbionts
Living together, benefiting
Symbionts are organisms that live in close physical association with another species, a relationship called symbiosis.
The term covers a range of arrangements: mutualistic symbionts benefit both parties, as when bacteria in the human gut aid digestion while receiving nutrients; parasitic symbionts benefit at their host's expense; commensal symbionts benefit without significantly affecting the host.
In science fiction, symbionts often appear as alien creatures that merge with or inhabit host bodies, sharing consciousness or abilities.
Fungal-root mutualistic associations
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
obligate · beneficial · reciprocity · clownfish · anemone · mitochondria · chloroplasts · legumes
One receiving guests
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- leechBlood-feeding aquatic worm
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
plasmodium · malaria · ectoparasite · endoparasite · trematode · nematode · lice · mosquito
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- microbiomeBody's microbial community
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- detritivoresCreatures consuming dead material
flora · fauna · biome · coral-reef · interdependence · cohabitation
Beneficial to both parties
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- allianceFormal union of parties
- integrationCombining into a whole
collaboration · coexistence · partnership · reciprocal · co-dependent · interspecies · association · bonding
Fish with adhesive disc
- sharksLarge predatory fish
- barnaclesShell-armored marine clingers
- whalesMassive marine mammals
- epiphytesPlants growing on others
orchids · sea-turtles · pseudoscorpions · oxpeckers · neutral · hitchhikers · bromeliads
mycorrhizae
Fungal-root mutualistic associations
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
coevolution · obligate · beneficial · reciprocity · clownfish · anemone · mitochondria · chloroplasts · legumes · nodules
host
One receiving guests
tapeworm · plasmodium · malaria · ectoparasite · endoparasite · trematode · nematode · lice · mosquito · tick
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- microbiomeBody's microbial community
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
detritivores · flora · fauna · biome · coral-reef · interdependence · cohabitation
mutualistic
Beneficial to both parties
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- allianceFormal union of parties
integration · collaboration · coexistence · partnership · reciprocal · co-dependent · interspecies · association · bonding · harmony
remora
Fish with adhesive disc
epiphytes · orchids · sea-turtles · pseudoscorpions · oxpeckers · neutral · hitchhikers · bromeliads
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- Microbesbacteria, bacterium, virus, mold, prokaryote
- fungimushroom, mushrooms, toadstool, toadstools, yeast
- food websfood web, food chain, food chains, producer, consumer
- endosymbiontsmitochondria, chloroplasts, chloroplast, plastids, plastid
- microbiomemicrobiome, microbiota, gut flora, intestinal flora, beneficial bacteria
symbiontsparasites
Organisms feeding off hosts
pathogens · exploiters · infectious agents · predators · commensals