Commensalism Collection

Eyelash mite, SEM
Eyelash mite. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an eyelash, or follicle, mite (Demodex folliculorum), a harmless parasite which lives inside human hair follicles

Man-of-war fish (Nomeus gronovi) living within deadly tentacles of Portuguese man o war (Physalia physalis), to whose toxin it is ten times more resistant than other fish, at sea surface. Dominica

Eyelash mite tails, SEM
Eyelash mite tails. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tails (pink) of three eyelash, or follicle, mites (Demodex folliculorum), protruding from a human hair follicle

Dugong (Dugong dugon) male and juvenile Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) shoal swimming over Turtlegrass (Halophila stipulacea) seagrass bed. Marsa Alam, Egypt

Dugong (Dugong dugon) male and juvenile Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) shoal swimming over Turtlegrass (Halophila stipulacea) seagrass bed. Marsa Alam, Egypt

Peruvian Tarantula (Pamphobeteus sp. ) adult, walking over Humming Frog (Chiasmocleis
Peruvian Tarantula (Pamphobeteus sp.) adult, walking over Humming Frog (Chiasmocleis royi) without preying on it. Los Amigos Biological Station, Madre de Dios, Amazonia, Peru

Commensal emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) hitching a ride on a Nudibranch (Risbecia tryoni). Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Land crab (Geosesarma sp. ) which raids Pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria) for prey
Land crab (Geosesarma sp.) which raids Pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria) for prey, Sarawak, Borneo

Pearlfish (Carapus acus) in anus of Sea cucumber (Stichopus regalis). These species have a commensal relationship, with the fish living in the gut of the sea cucumber. Catalonia, Spain

Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) accompanied by pilotfish (Naucrates ductor) as it cruises beneath the surface of the Red Sea in the late afternoon, close to Little Brother Island

UW INDO 2021 14
Harlequin Crab - inside Tube Anemone, Cerianthus sp - Batu Niti Slope dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Harlequin Crab - inside Tube Anemone

13131082
Graceful Anemone Shrimp on Fire Anemone (Phyllodiscus sp) - Tanjung Usi 1 dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

Blackspotted stingray (Taeniurops meyeni) with a remora (Echeneis naucrates) attached to its belly swimming in the open water with a diver in the background. Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Pearlfish (Carapus acus) outside of host Sea cucumber (Stichopus regalis) at night. These species have a commensal relationship, with the fish living in the gut of the sea cucumber. Catalonia, Spain

Deepsea benthic Sea cucumber (Peniagone sp) with commensal polynoid polychaete, from mid atlantic ridge, depth approx 2600m, June 2010

Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) with commensal Crested sculpin (Blepsias bilobus) sheltering amongst stinging tentacles, Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, Pacific Ocean

Crested sculpin (Blepsias bilobus) hiding in smack of Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, Pacific Ocean

Crested sculpin (Blepsias bilobus) hiding in smack of Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, Pacific Ocean

RF - Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) swimming in open water with a Remora (Remora remora) swimming below, North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

DDE-90037633
Papua New Guinea, New Britain Island. A crab lives commensally with and matches its color to its host sea cucumber. Date: 11/02/2005

DDE-90024705
Jellyfish (Cnidaria) and juvenile trevally fish (Carangoides ferdau) seeking shelter from predators, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Date: 19/05/2006

DDE-90024611
Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Sulawesi Island, Lembeh Straits. Two imperial shrimps on a sea cucumber. Date: 11/02/2005

DDE-90024600
Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Sulawesi Island, Lembeh Straits. Squat lobster lives commensally with barrel sponges. Date: 11/02/2005

DDE-90024585
Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Fakfak, Triton Bay. Close-up of soft-coral goby fish living on soft tree coral. Date: 11/02/2005

Yellowline arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) living in association with Giant Caribbean sea anemone (Condylactis gigantea), Dominica, Caribbean

UW INDO 2034 69
Coral Commensal Shrimp - camouflaged on Hard Coral, Acropora sp - night dive, Seraya Secrets dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

UW INDO 2034 15
Thirteen Teeth Mantis Shrimp in hole - with Snapping Shrimp, Synalpheus sp - night dive, Seraya Secrets dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

UW INDO 2034 14
Thirteen Teeth Mantis Shrimp in hole - with Snapping Shrimp, Synalpheus sp - night dive, Seraya Secrets dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

UW INDO 2033 16
Coral Shrimp with eggs in coral - Batu Kelebit dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Coral Shrimp with eggs in coral - Batu Kelebit dive site, Seraya, Karangasem, Bali

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Palm Weevil - with Phoretic Mites (Acari Subclass) - Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Date: 05-Nov-04

UW INDO 1903 51
Coral Commensal Shrimp on coral - night dive - Scuba Seraya House Reef dive site, Seraya, Kubu district, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Date: 08-Nov-19

UW INDO 1903 50
Camouflaged Commensal Shrimp - on Crinoid, Comatulida Order - night dive - Scuba Seraya House Reef dive site, Seraya, Kubu district, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Date: 08-Nov-19

UW INDO 1897 40
Beautiful Hermit Crab - Sedam dive site, Seraya, Kubu district, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Date: 07-Nov-19

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Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis, with one Man-of-war fish (Nomeus gronovii). The gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, remains at the surface, while the remainder is submerged

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Harlequin Crab on Amberfish Sea Cucumber (Thelenota anax) - night dive - Murex House Reef dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Sarasvati Anemone Shrimp in Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) - Tiga Batu dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Wire Coral Crab on Whip Coral (Alcyonacea Order) - Batu Gosoh dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Ankers Whip Coral Shrimp on Whip Coral (Alcyonacea Order) - Yellow Coco dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Graceful Anemone Shrimps on Fire Anemone (Phyllodiscus sp) - Tanjung Usi 1 dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Soft Coral Crab on Glomerate Tree Coral (Dendronephthya sp) - Sabora 1 dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Pair of Squat Shrimps on Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) - Sabora 1 dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Sponge Isopods on Sponge (Porifera Phylum) - Demak dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

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Coral Crab - on coral - TK1 dive site, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia Date: 25-09-2019

Leachs spider crab (Inachus phalangium) sheltering beneath the stinging tentacles of Snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis). Swanage, Dorset, UK, English Channel

Dugong (Dugong dugon) feeding on Tapegrass (Halophila stipulacea), accompanied by juvenile Golden trevally fish (Gnathanodon speciosus). Marsa Alam, Egypt

Dugong (Dugong dugon) feeding on Tapegrass (Halophila stipulacea), accompanied by juvenile Golden trevally fish (Gnathanodon speciosus). Marsa Alam, Egypt

Brooks urchin shrimp (Allopontonia brooki), commensal among the venomous spines of Variable sea urchin (Asthenosoma varium). On sea floor, Komodo, Indonesia

RF - Emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) exploring alien-looking landscape of host sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus). Emperor shrimps are commensals on many hosts

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"Discovering the Intricate World of Commensalism: From Eyelash Mites to Golden Trevally" In the microscopic realm, an enchanting dance unfolds as eyelash mites (SEM) gracefully traverse their host's delicate lashes. These tiny creatures find solace in a mutually beneficial relationship with humans, feeding on dead skin cells while providing no harm. Venturing into the depths of the Caribbean Sea, we encounter a remarkable sight - the man-of-war fish fearlessly residing amidst deadly tentacles of Portuguese man o war. With astonishing resilience to its toxic embrace, this unique fish thrives where others cannot survive. Moving along, we witness another captivating alliance between a majestic dugong and its loyal companion, the golden trevally. As they glide through pristine waters together, these two species form an unbreakable bond that ensures protection and companionship for both parties involved. Nature never ceases to amaze us as we stumble upon an extraordinary scene in Peru - a Peruvian tarantula confidently treading over a humble humming frog. This unlikely duo showcases commensalism at its finest; while one finds stability in transportation, the other remains unaffected by its presence. Delving deeper into marine ecosystems reveals yet another fascinating partnership -the commensal emperor shrimp hitchhiking on a nudibranch's back. Through this symbiotic connection, both organisms benefit from each other's existence without causing any harm or interference. The wonders of nature continue to unravel as land crabs cunningly raid pitcher plants for prey. In this intriguing scenario, these resourceful crustaceans capitalize on their surroundings while simultaneously aiding in pollination for these carnivorous plants. Underwater explorations bring us face-to-face with more astonishing collaborations –a blackspotted stingray adorned with a remora attached firmly to its body. This unusual pairing allows both species to thrive harmoniously within their shared habitat. As darkness falls upon the ocean floor, a pearlfish ventures outside its host sea cucumber.