Symbiosis
What is Symbiosis?
Symbiosis is an intimate association between two different organisms. In fact, most animals and plants live symbiotically with microorganisms. The larger organism is called the host and smaller organism or organisms the symbionts. Examples include bacterial colonization of the skin and digestive tract of animals and the roots of plants. For the microorganism, the benefits of the association can be a stable protective environment provided by the host. The bacteria may also obtain nutrients from the host. On the other hand, the symbionts can "protect" the host by making it more difficult for colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Some symbionts supply the host with nutrients that the host cannot synthesize itself nor obtain from its food.Learn More About Symbiosis
Click on the Symbiont Hosts at left (or below) to learn more about various animal:bacterial symbioses. | Symbiont Name: Aeromonas veronii, Rikenella-like bacteria Host Name: Hirudo verbana Type: Digestive tract symbiosis Location: Extracellular Role: Unknown |
 | Symbiont Name: Buchnera species Host Name: Aphidiodea Type: Nutritional symbiosis Location: Extracellular Role: Amino acid synthesis |
 | Symbiont Name: Vibrio fischeri Host Name: Euprymna scalopes Type: Light organ symbiosis Location: Extracellular Role: Light production |
 | Symbiont Name: Xenorhabdus nematophilus Host Name: Steinemema carpocapsae Type: Digestive tract symbiosis Location: Extracellular Role: Digestion of insect host |