What is the Difference Between Commensalism and Parasitism?

The main difference between commensalism and parasitism lies in how the two species involved in the relationship are affected.

• Commensalism: In this type of relationship, one species benefits while the other species is not affected. Both species live together in an association, and the benefits received by one party include nutrition, locomotion, shelter, support, food scraps, etc.. An example of commensalism is the remora fish attaching itself to sharks or other large fish for transportation, while the shark is not affected by the remora's presence.
• Parasitism: In parasitism, one species (the parasite) benefits while the other species (the host) is harmed. The parasite typically extracts nutrients or other resources from the host, often causing damage or harm to the host organism. Examples of parasites include tapeworms and fleas, which benefit by feeding on the host's resources while causing harm to the host.

In summary, the key difference between commensalism and parasitism is that in commensalism, one species benefits without affecting the other, while in parasitism, one species benefits at the expense of the other, causing harm to the host organism.

Comparative Table: Commensalism vs Parasitism

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

In summary, commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits from the interaction, but the other species is neither harmed nor benefited. In contrast, parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other species, which is harmed.