commensal

An organism that benefits from a symbiotic relationship (see symbiosis) with another organism which neither gains nor loses from the partnership. The commensal often gets shelter, transport, and food from its host. For example, the clownfish lives among the numerous tentacles of an anemone and is protected from potential predators not immune to the sting of the anemone. The clownfish is protected from the sting of the anemone tentacles by a substance contained in the mucus on its skin.

Related category

• ECOLOGY

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