symbioses
Intertwined living arrangements
Symbioses is the plural of symbiosis, a biological term for close, prolonged relationships between different species.
The classic example is mutualism, where both organisms benefit—like clownfish and sea anemones.
But symbiosis also covers parasitism (one benefits, one suffers) and commensalism (one benefits, the other is unaffected).
The word extends figuratively to any mutually dependent relationship: The symbioses between artists and their patrons shaped Renaissance culture.
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
pollination · endosymbiosis · host · obligate · facultative · microbiome · oxpecker · mitochondria
Reciprocal reliance between entities
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
- interrelationMutual connection between things
- complementarityMutual enhancement through difference
interplay · mutuality · codependency · reliance · entanglement · interlocking · meshing · integration
Joint intellectual work
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
- allianceFormal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
consortium · affiliation · federation · union · merger · pooling · coordination · networking
mutualism
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
lichen · pollination · endosymbiosis · host · obligate · facultative · microbiome · oxpecker · mitochondria
interdependence
Reciprocal reliance between entities
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
- interrelationMutual connection between things
complementarity · interplay · mutuality · codependency · reliance · entanglement · interlocking · meshing · integration · confluence
collaboration
Joint intellectual work
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
- allianceFormal union of parties
coalition · consortium · affiliation · federation · union · merger · pooling · coordination · networking · association
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- biomeMajor ecological community
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
niche · trophic · keystone · succession · biotic · abiotic · flora · fauna · community · adaptation
symbiosesparasitism
One benefits, one suffers
parasitic relationships · parasitisms · exploitation · predation · vampirism
symbiosesautonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
independence · self-sufficiency · isolation · separations · free-living
symbiosesantagonism
Active opposition or hostility
competition · rivalry · hostility · warfare · predation
- industrial symbiosisBusinesses exchanging waste as resources