Commensalism:

• One organism uses another to get a better position in the environment

• neither organism is harmed-- there is usually no physiological interaction between the two organisms

• most often for photosynthesis advantages in shaded areas -- very common in rainforests

• may also be for reproductive advantages-- some fungi “climb” up trees and vines (while not gaining nutrition from them) in order to release their spores from as high a perch as possible

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version

Some fungi live in association with other organisms but don’t derive their nutrition from them. Commensalism is very important in nature.