Amensalism

Amensalism is an association between two species where one species is neutral while the other is harmed. It can be seen as a competitive form of interaction between organisms.

It is used to describe the (0,−) interaction in the familiar two-species interaction. It is the interaction of two species in which the impact of one species on the other is negative, but where there is no noticeable impact of the second species on the first.

Types of Amensalism 

The two types are :

1. Competition
2. Antibiosis

Now, let’s talk about these in brief.

Competition

The two species compete for their survival; this may be over a food resource or survival.

We can see this type of competition between two different species and between the same or same species.

Example: Lion and tiger fighting for an antelope or a deer.

Antibiosis

It is a type of biological interaction between two or more organisms where it is detrimental for at least one of them; it is usually due to a secretion of some chemical substance.

These types of Interactions can be seen in between antibiotics & bacteria.

Example: Penicillin secretion by bread mold Penicillium, having a detrimental effect on bacteria. 

Questions

Question 1. Define Amensalism.

Solution. It is an interaction between two species where one species is harmed while the other is neither profited nor negatively affected.

Question 2. Is Amensalism a positive interaction or negative?

Solution. Amensalism is a type of interaction in which one species is benefited while the other is harmed.
It can be seen as positive for benefited species & negative for the species that got harmed.

FAQs