Symbiotic Relationship Collection (page 12)

Hermit crab on sponge in Gulf of Mexico

Close-up view of the underside of a Hawksbill sea turtle with barnacles
Close-up view of the underside of a Hawksbill sea turtle, complete with barnacles, on a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Gorgonians and reef-building corals near the Blue Hole in Belize
Colorful gorgonians and reef-building corals grow in shallow water near the famous Blue Hole in Belize. This part of Central America is well known for its clear waters and beautiful coral reefs

A tiny emperor shrimp on a nudibranch
A tiny emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) hitches a ride on a nudibranch in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity

Microscopic view of Paramecium bursaria, a species of ciliate protozoan that has a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with green algae called Zoochlorella

Massive whale shark with golden trevally and remora in tow
Massive whale shark coming through with golden trevally leading the way and with remora in tow, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Red grouper with open mouth and cleaner wrasse, Bali, Indonesia

Colorful anthias swim above corals in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for scuba divers

A tiny crab clings to a sea pen on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. Crustaceans make up a large part of the biodiversity found on reefs

Reef-building corals are encroached upon by a sand bank in Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Commensal shrimp on a sea star, La Paz, Mexico

Oceanic blacktip shark with remora in the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
An oceanic blacktip shark swims by with remora in tow against the sunrays, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Commensal shrimp on soft coral, Papua New Guinea
Commensal shrimp (Periclimenes holthuisi) on soft coral, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A Black-finned snake eel pokes its head out of a sandy seafloor
A Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus cephalozona) pokes its head out of a sandy seafloor in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

A massive giant clam grows in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A massive giant clam (Tridacna gigas) grows in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Anemonefish in their host anemone, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

A magnificent sea anemone grows in Komodo National Park
A colorful magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) grows in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Oceanic blacktip sharksin the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Several oceanic blacktip sharks swim by near the surface against sunrays, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A harlequin swimming crab sits on its host tube anemone
A harlequin swimming crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) sits on its host tube anemone in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine

Healthy reef-building corals thrive in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms

Pink Anemonefish protect their purple anemone home, Papua New Guinea
Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) appear to be on lookout to protect their purple anemone home in the clear and warm ocean waters of Papua New Guinea

Yellowline Arrow Crab on anenome in Caribbean Sea

Cinnamon Clownfish in its host anemone, Fiji
Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) in its host anemone, Fiji

A saltwater shrimp on bubble coral
A saltwater shrimp (Vir philippinensis) on bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa), Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Whale Shark feeding under fishing platform, West Papua
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus), near the surface as the evening sun descends, sending shafts of light over the shark, Cenderawasih Bay, Papua, Indonesia

A family of pink anemonefish in anemone, Papua New Guinea
A family of four pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) in magnificent anemone, Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A large barrel sponge covered with crinoids in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Two squat anemone shrimp in Curacao
Two squat anemone shrimp (Thor amboinensis) in Curacao

Delicate reef-building corals in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Delicate reef-building corals thrive in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

A giant oceanic manta ray with attached remoras at San Benedicto island in Mexico
A giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) with attached remoras at San Benedicto island in Mexico

Two Sharknose Gobies clean a Red Hind, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Sarasvati anemone shrimp, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Sarasvati anemone shrimp (Periclimenes sarasvati), Bunaken National Patk, Sulawesi, Indonesia

The rare Colemans coral shrimp, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia
The rare Colemans coral shrimp (Vir colemani), Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

An oceanic blacktip shark with remora, South Africa
An oceanic blacktip shark swims by with remora in tow, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Brontotherium wander the lush late Eocene landscape
Brontotherium wander the lush Late Eocene landscape of South Dakota 35 million years ago. Modern rhinoceroses have a symbiotic relationship with birds (variously known as oxpeckers or tick birds)

A diverse array of invertebrates cover a healthy reef in Indonesia. This region is home to more marine species than anywhere else on Earth

A set of soft corals grows in the shallow waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This beautiful region is known for its spectacular reefs and high marine biodiversity

A coral colony fluoresces as UV light is shown upon it
A coral colony (Galaxea sp.) fluoresces as UV light is shown upon it. Why many marine organisms fluoresce is unknown

A blue starfish clings to a barrel sponge in Indonesia
A blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) clings to barrel sponge in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A soft coral colony grows on a reef dropoff in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Yutyrannus huali is a feathered tyrannosauroid from the Early Cretacous of China

Mutualistic relationship between Dacentrurus armatus and Draconyx loureiroi, portuguese Tithonian age (Late Jurassic)

Maldives anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes) in Magnificent Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Maldives, Indian Ocean

Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) on the coral reef, Indian Ocean, Maldives

Diver and Blackfinned anemonefish or Maldives anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes), Indian Ocean, Maldives

Blackfinned Anemonefish or Maldives Anemonefish -Amphiprion nigripes-, clownfish, Noonu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Zebra -Equus quagga- with Oxpecker -Buphagus-, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa, Africa, PublicGround

Aphids -Aphidoidea- being milked by an Ant -Formidicae-, beneficial insects and pests, macro shot, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

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In the vast ocean, a Dugong gracefully glides through the water, its massive body nourished by a seagrass meadow. This gentle giant relies on the symbiotic relationship it shares with Halophila stipulacea to sustain its life. Meanwhile, in prehistoric times, an Alvarezsaurid bird fearlessly approaches the mouth of a Giganotosaurus carolinii dinosaur. With meticulous care, it cleans away remnants of food from between the sharp teeth of this mighty predator. A remarkable example of mutualism in ancient ecosystems. On sandy shores, intricate patterns emerge as Mint-sauce worms wriggle beneath the surface. These tiny creatures create trails that serve as shelter for other organisms and contribute to beach stability—a harmonious partnership between nature and these fascinating worms. Beneath turquoise waters, a Western clownfish seeks refuge within the tentacles of a Magnificent sea anemone. In return for protection against predators, this vibrant fish provides nutrients to its host—an extraordinary case of mutual dependence. In Mexican seas, a Giant manta ray majestically soars above coral reefs while Remoras cling onto both wings. These small hitchhikers enjoy free transportation and access to leftover meals provided by their gracious host—the epitome of commensalism in marine environments. Far off on Tenerife's coastlines lie Ocean sunfish swimming alongside Pilot fish—two species united by mutual benefit. The sunfish offers protection from potential threats while enjoying parasite removal services provided by its loyal companions. Within coral reefs dwells another helpful creature—the Bluestreak cleaner wrasse diligently cleaning among sharp teeth belonging to various reef inhabitants. Its bravery ensures not only dental hygiene but also sustenance for itself—a classic example of mutualistic behavior underwater. Back in ocean depths where darkness reigns supreme resides another symbiotic duo—the Dugong and juvenile Golden trevally swim side by side.