Ocean+Shore+Interactions

The Four Symbiotic Relationships By Maddy N and Paityn W On the rocky beach of the ocean shore lived Paityn Pelican and his dad. Paityn’s dad, Maddy Daddy, was a brilliant scientist who travelled all around the world. Paityn wanted to be a scientist just like his dad and discover new ocean shore animals and their symbiotic relationships. “Maddy Daddy, I want to be a scientist just like you!” exclaimed Paityn Pelican. “First you must know about the four symbiotic relationships,” replied Maddy Daddy. “ Will you teach me?” “Sure. Follow me and I will show you what you need to learn.” Paityn Pelican and Maddy Daddy flew off towards some nearby shore pines. They landed on a branch and peered through the pine needles. “See this nest in the cavity of this mature tree?” said Maddy Daddy. “Yes, Daddy,” replied Paityn Pelican. “This is a form of commensalism, where one organism benefits and the other is not helped or harmed.” “So the bird is helped by gaining shelter, but the tree is not affected, right?” “You are absolutely correct. Well done!” Next, Maddy Daddy took his son to an ocean cove where he showed him a predator-prey relationship. Maddy Daddy swooped down and captured a wriggling fish in his large beak. “This is a predator-prey relationship, where the predator, or the hunter, eats the prey, which is what is being hunted.” As Maddy Daddy spoke, Paityn Pelican intently listened. “So we are the predator, or hunter, hunting the fish, which is the prey!” acknowledged Paityn Pelican. “Exactly,” said Maddy Daddy. “Let’s continue our adventure.” Maddy Daddy guided Paityn Pelican to another part of the ocean shore, where they spotted a great sea lamprey hooked onto another fish. “Daddy, is this parasitism, where one organism benefits and the other is harmed?” “Good job Paityn Pelican! How did you know?” “Because the great sea lamprey is benefiting from the fishes blood, and the fish is being harmed.” “I’m so proud of you!” exclaimed Maddy Daddy. “But we still have one symbiotic relationship left!” Maddy Daddy and Paityn Pelican flew over to the shoreline where they came to a stop next to some Olpidium longicollum. “See this fungus here? It’s decomposing the soil, “ said Maddy Daddy. “The Olpidium longicollum is helped because it gets something to eat, and the soil is helped because the organic material is being decomposed. When both organisms benefit from each other, it’s called mutualism.” “We’ve covered all four symbiotic relationships, right?” exclaimed Paityn Pelican excitedly. “That’s right, Paityn Pelican!” smiled Maddy Daddy. “Let’s review them so they stay in your mind, shall we?” “Sure, Daddy! First there is commensalism where one animal benefits and the other is not helped or harmed. Next I learned predator-prey where one animal hunts and the other is hunted. Next is parasitism, where one animal benefits and the other one is harmed. The final symbiotic relationship is mutualism, where both animals benefit off of each other.” "Son, you are on your way! I am so proud of you!” cried Maddy Daddy with delight. Paityn Pelican and his father flew home with inspirational thoughts crossing their minds.

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