Amensalism, also called antibiosis, is ecological relationship that occurs between individuals of different species, and one of those involved is harmed. It is, therefore, an interspecific and inharmonious ecological relationship.
In amensalism, one of the species involved is responsible for the release of substances that interfere with the development or reproduction of another living being. THE Red tide it is one of the situations in which we can observe the occurrence of this interaction.
Read too: Competition, an example of a disharmonious relationship
What is amensalism?
Amensalism, also called antibiosis, is a ecological relationship in which a species produces substances that inhibitwell the growth or reproduction of another species. One species is therefore inhibited or harmed, while the other is neither directly benefited nor harmed by the interaction. It is, therefore, an interspecific relationship, as it involves different species, and disharmonious, as it harms one of those involved.
Examples of amensalism
Here are two important examples of amensalism.
Red tide: classic example of amensalism. In this phenomenon, the excessive proliferation of seaweed that release toxic substances into the environment. These substances can trigger the death of species that develop in that location, such as some fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Red tides are so called due to the fact that the algae responsible for this phenomenon have red or brown pigments. As these algae proliferate excessively, the water has a reddish appearance. To learn more, read our specific text: Red tide.
Some species of fungi and bacteria: some species of fungi release antibiotic substances that inhibit bacterial growth. This is the case of the fungus of the genus penicillium, which is used in the production of an antibiotic called penicillin.
What are ecological relationships?
ecological relationships are interactions that living beings establish with each other. The interactions that occur between individuals of the same species are called intraspecific, this being the case of society, gives Cologne It's from cannibalism. The ecological relationships established between individuals of different species are called interspecific, this being the case of the commensalism, mutualism, predatory and parasitism.
Ecological relationships can be further classified as harmonic and disharmonious. The so-called ecological relationships harmonics are those in which all species involved benefit or only one is favored, while the other is not benefited or harmed by the interaction. As examples of harmonic relationship, we can cite commensalism, mutualism, society and the colony.
The so-called ecological relationships disharmonious are those in which at least one of those involved is harmed by the interaction. As examples of disharmonious relationships, we can cite competition, cannibalism and amensalism.
Read too: Cannibalism — a disharmonious ecological relationship
Exercise on amensalism
Now that you've learned a little about amensalism, let's test your knowledge. Carefully read the question below and answer:
Question 1 — Red tide is considered a type of amensalism because:
a) the algae involved in the process parasitize aquatic organisms, such as fish, preventing them from developing.
b) the algae responsible for this phenomenon eliminate toxins that cause the death of other species, such as some fish.
c) the algae responsible for this phenomenon remove the nutrients they need for their development from animals present in the water.
d) the algae involved in the process contribute to the growth of zooplankton.
e) the algae involved in the process compete with each other for light.
Reply: Letter B. Amensalism is an ecological relationship in which one species inhibits the development or reproduction of another. The algae responsible for the red tide release toxins that harm the development of other organisms, causing their death, so it is a case of amensalism.
