Commensalism is more difficult to understand because the relationship isn't positive or negative for one of the participants. You could say that the neutral species is 'just along for the ride'. Although with this first example, a ride is exactly what the other species is after.

Symbiotic relationships can have incredible evolutionary power. Flowering plants make up the vast majority of modern plant species diversity, and a large reason for this is their symbiotic reproductive strategy.

Who can truly lay claim to the title of 'Humanity's Best Friend'? While we have given that name to the domestic dog, there are other symbiotic relationships that are even more important for the survival and development of the human species.

Oftentimes, our awareness of relationships in nature can be influenced by cultural osmosis. If such a symbiotic partnership is depicted in a piece of popular media, we become more aware of it. That is certainly the case with this set of organisms.

Sometimes the most fascinating symbiotic relationships are the ones we barely even notice, but they still convey important evolutionary benefits.

The next dozen stories are all going to cover the topic of symbiosis, interactions between different species living closely together. Some of these relationships are beneficial, but others can cause harm to one of the individuals involved.