Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 8- Animal associations and interactions

8.1- Animal associations and interactions
Ecology is the study of the interrelations of organisms and environment. interrelationships or animal associations either direct or indirect, exist among members within a species (Intra specific) or between members of different groups (Inter specific). Marine environments have various kinds of inter specific relationships.
• Symbiosis
• Commensalisms
• Parasitism
• Natural selection
• Artificial selection
• Prey – predator relationship
• Host - parasitic relationship

Association between organisms is for similar requirements in the environment. Number of unrelated organisms is occurring together in associations. They have similar in form, function and habitat. Animal adapted to live in conditions of competition for space and food, owing to their better means of protection / survival / proliferation and association is predominant in such communities.