Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Commensalism and Amensalism?

Guilherme Mazui

•2 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Commensalism and Amensalism?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between commensalism and amensalism lies in the impact of the interaction on the organisms involved. Here are the key differences:

  • Commensalism is a positive interaction between organisms, where one species benefits while the other remains unaffected. Examples include golden jackals following lions, epiphytic plants such as orchids, and hermit crabs living inside a dead snail shell.
  • Amensalism is a negative type of interaction between organisms, where one species is harmed while the other remains unaffected. This can be observed, for example, when goats consume shrubs, which harms beetles that rely on the shrubs for food, potentially leading to the beetles being eaten by the goats as well.

In summary, commensalism is a positive interaction where one organism benefits without affecting the other, while amensalism is a negative interaction where one organism is harmed without affecting the other.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Commensalism and Amensalism?
  • Comparative Table: Commensalism vs Amensalism

    • Comparative Table: Commensalism vs Amensalism

    Here is a table comparing the differences between commensalism and amensalism:

    Feature Commensalism Amensalism
    Definition A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other remains unaffected A type of interaction in which one organism is inhibited or destroyed while the other remains unaffected
    Interaction Positive for one species, no effect on the other Negative for one species, no effect on the other
    Examples Golden jackal following lions, epiphytic plants such as orchids, hermit crabs living inside a dead snail shell Goats consuming shrubs, harming beetles that lose their food source and risk being eaten by goats

    Both commensalism and amensalism are types of symbiotic relationships between species, but they differ in the impact they have on the organisms involved. In commensalism, one species benefits without affecting the other, while in amensalism, one species is harmed or inhibited without affecting the other.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.