Commensalism Collection (page 4)

Water buffalo C017 / 3769
Water buffalo resting with a white heron cleaning its ear. The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is found across much of the Indian subcontinent

Eyelash mite, SEM Z445 / 0308
Eyelash mite. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an eyelash, or follicle, mite (Demodex folliculorum), a harmless parasite which lives inside human hair follicles

Pale Chanting Goshawk and Kori Bustard C018 / 9324
A Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus) and a Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) wait for an opportunity to snatch prey which may escape the clutches of a Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)

Kori Bustard with Pale Chanting Goshawks C018 / 9282
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks (Melierax canorus) and a Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) wait for an opportunity to snatch prey which may escape the clutches of a Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)

Great spider crab and bryozoa. Great spider crab (Hyas araneus) carrying a bryozoan colony. This crab lives at a depth of 500-2000 metres in Atlantic waters and the North Sea

Coral shrimp (Vir philippinensis) on the bubble- covered tentacles of a bubble coral (Pterogyra sinuosa). This shrimp is found exclusively amongst the tentacles and bubbles of this coral

Imperial shrimp (Periclimenes imperator, lower centre) on a starfish. This shrimp uses starfish and other motile invertebrates for transport between feeding sites

Emperor shrimp on a sea cucumber
Emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) on the skin of a sea cucumber. The emperor shrimp hitches rides on larger animals for protection from predators

Colemans shrimp on a sea urchin
Colemans shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) on the body of a venomous sea urchin (Asthenosoma varium). This shrimp is found exclusively on this sea urchin

Anemone shrimp in its anemone
Anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) in its host sea anemone (Cryptodendrum adhaesivum). This shrimp has a symbiotic association with the anemone

Splendour wrasse and longbarbel goatfish. Banded splendour wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus, top) following a feeding longbarbel goatfish (Parupeneus macronema)

Splendour wrasse and Red Sea goatfish. Abudjubbes splendour wrasse (Cheilinus abudjubbe, top) following a feeding Red Sea goatfish (Parupeneus forsskali)

Pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) sheltering by the tentacles of its host sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica). This small fish spends nearly all of its life amongst the stinging tentacles

Western clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) hiding amongst the tentacles of its host sea anemone. This fish has a symbiotic relationship with the anemone

Cleaner shrimp on a damselfish. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) on a threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) damselfish

Cleaner shrimp cleaning an anthia. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) cleaning an anthias mouth. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Cleaner shrimp on a grouper. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) on a coral hind (Cephalopholis miniata) grouper. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brown rat, artwork
Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), artwork. This small mammal is a rodent found worldwide, especially in Europe and North America

House mouse, artwork
House mouse (Mus musculus), artwork. This small mammal is a rodent found worldwide, associated with human populations. It reaches a body length of around 10 centimetres

Three-band anemonefish (Amphriprion tricinctus) in a breeding farm. This fish is a type of clownfish. Clownfish are immune to the stings of anemones, enabling them to live within their tentacles

Leopard shark and remora. Leopard shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) on the sea bed with a remora (family Echeneidae, upper centre) attached to its back

Animals sheltering in an anemone. Anemonefish (subfamily Amphiprioninae), Periclimenes sp. shrimps (upper right) and a porcelain crab (family Porcellanidae, far left) in an anemone

Anemonefish in sea anemone
Anemonefish (Amphiprion sp.) in a sea anemone. Photographed in Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Adult California gray whale underwater (detail of eye and barnacles). San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja, Mexico
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Anemone Fish unharmed among tentacles of sea anemone, Red Sea and Indian Ocean
PM-10052 Anemone Fish - unharmed among tentacles of sea anemone Red Sea and Indian Ocean Amphiprion ocellaris Pat Morris Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Anemone Fish unharmed among tentacles of sea anemone, Red Sea and Indian Ocean
PM-10051 Anemone Fish - unharmed among tentacles of sea anemone Red Sea and Indian Ocean Amphiprion ocellaris Pat Morris Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

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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.