Amensalism

Amensalism is a sort of biological interaction between two organisms or species in which one is neither helped nor harmed, and the other is destroyed or inhibited. It’s a (0,-) interaction type. ‘0’ denotes no effect, whereas ‘-‘ denotes a negative effect.

In general, it isn’t seen as a significant interaction because it is unintentional and does not benefit the species causing the injury.

Different Types of Amensalism

There are two varieties of Amensalism in the ecology, which are listed below:-

1.Competition: In this category, a physically strong organism denies a weak organism the ability to develop and eat.

2.Antibiosis: An organism is killed by the harmful compounds produced by another organism in this sort of antibiosis.

Examples Amensalism

Amensalism can be found in abundance in nature. 

1.Grazing cattle and insects are a simple example of Amensalism. When cattle graze in grass, birds eat the insects, but the cattle are unharmed. ‘0’ denotes cattle, whereas ‘-‘ denotes insects.

2. Interaction between Penicillium and Staphylococcus is a popular example of Amensalism that most of us have heard. Penicillium is a type of fungus, while staphylococcus is a type of bacteria. There is a (0,-) interaction between them. Penicillium creates a substance called penicillin that kills bacteria in this process.

3. Smoother crops, such as barley, sorghum, and sunflower, prevent weeds from growing nearby. Smoother crop is unaffected in this case, but weeds suffer.

4. Juglone is a chemical produced by the black walnut (Juglans regia). The growth of plants in the surrounding region is inhibited by this harmful toxin. Apple, tomato, and alfalfa plants are all poisoned by this toxin.

5. Trichoderma and Aspergillus: Trichoderma is a fungus that inhibits the growth of Aspergillus. Trichoderma is employed as a biocontrol agent in organic farming for this reason.

6. Tagetes produce toxins that are harmful to soil nematodes.

7. Algal blooms can cause the death of a variety of fish species. The algae, on the other hand, do not benefit from the loss of those animals.

8. Elephants stepping on ants kill the ants rather than benefiting the elephants.

9. Pine trees produce an allopathic chemical that prevents other crops in the area from growing. Other crops are harmed whereas Pine is neither harmed nor benefited.

In the Ocean, Examples of Amensalism

We have selected out the following amensalism examples in the ocean from the aforementioned examples:-

Algal blooms have the potential to kill a variety of fish species. The algae, on the other hand, do not benefit from the loss of those animals.

Importance Amensalism

Amensalism is utilised in the control of several hazardous organisms since it is a (0,-) interaction. In the case of Penicillium and Bacteria, for example. This aided in the manufacture of antibiotics. Penicillin, one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world, was developed as a result of this interaction.

Amensalism vs. Commensalism 

Amensalism and Commensalism are diametrically opposed. Amensalism is defined as a (0,-) interaction, whereas Commensalism is defined as a (0,+) interaction. So, commensalism is a sort of biological relationship between two organisms or species in which one is neither benefited nor destroyed while the other is benefited in terms of space or food. The creature that benefits from Commensalism is known as a commensal, while the organism that benefits from it is known as a host.

Examples Of Commensalism

1.Take the case of the cattle egret bird and grazing cattle that we described in Amensalism as an illustration of Commensalism. When cattle graze on grass, insects that have been hiding inside the grass are exposed to the outside surface, where they are eaten by birds. Birds are helped in this case, whereas cattle are unaffected.

2. Orchid plant clinging to tree limbs. Orchid benefits here, while the tree is unharmed. Orchids are given space and receive full sunlight, whereas they would otherwise have to compete with other plants when growing in soil. If orchids aren’t growing on soil and plants aren’t affected (Communism), where does it get its water? The answer is that orchids have a special tissue called “velamen” tissue that allows them to take water directly from the atmosphere.

3. Sea anemone and clown fish The sea anemone aids in the protection of clown fish from predators.

4. Sharks and sucker fish The dorsal fin of the sucker fish keeps it tethered to the shark. Sharks transport these fish to areas where there is plenty of food.

5. Barnacles and Whales Sucker fish and shark have a similar connection.

Conclusion

As a result, Amensalism and Commensalism are two distinct biological interactions that have existed in nature for thousands of years. For different animal species, these interactions have different levels of relevance. This is all there is to know about Amensalism: Amensalism: Definition, Types, and Examples.