Commensal Collection (page 4)

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. Close-up of decorator crab that lives commensally with soft corals and matches color with host

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. A pygmy seahorse lives in association with seafans and matches color of host fan for protection

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. A Clarks anemonefish peeks out from anemone tentacles

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. Cleaner wrasse fish on coral reef

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. This goby fish is commensal with many species of marine invertebrates, such as soft coral

Commensal shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis), Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Tree-living Ant (Dolichoderus quadripunctatus) adult workers, farming aphids on walnut leaf, Causse de Gramat, Massif Central, Lot, France, may

Imperial Shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) adult, on sea cucumber, Mabul Island, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Coral shrimp (Vir philippinensis) on the bubble- covered tentacles of a bubble coral (Pterogyra sinuosa). This shrimp is found exclusively amongst the tentacles and bubbles of this coral

Imperial shrimp (Periclimenes imperator, lower centre) on a starfish. This shrimp uses starfish and other motile invertebrates for transport between feeding sites

Emperor shrimp on a sea cucumber
Emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) on the skin of a sea cucumber. The emperor shrimp hitches rides on larger animals for protection from predators

Colemans shrimp on a sea urchin
Colemans shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) on the body of a venomous sea urchin (Asthenosoma varium). This shrimp is found exclusively on this sea urchin

Anemone shrimp in its anemone
Anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) in its host sea anemone (Cryptodendrum adhaesivum). This shrimp has a symbiotic association with the anemone

Splendour wrasse and longbarbel goatfish. Banded splendour wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus, top) following a feeding longbarbel goatfish (Parupeneus macronema)

Yellow-margined morays (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus) in a cleaning station. The eels are being cleaned by hump-back cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinenis, left)

Splendour wrasse and Red Sea goatfish. Abudjubbes splendour wrasse (Cheilinus abudjubbe, top) following a feeding Red Sea goatfish (Parupeneus forsskali)

Pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) sheltering by the tentacles of its host sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica). This small fish spends nearly all of its life amongst the stinging tentacles

Western clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) hiding amongst the tentacles of its host sea anemone. This fish has a symbiotic relationship with the anemone

Cleaner shrimp on a damselfish. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) on a threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) damselfish

Cleaner shrimp cleaning an anthia. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) cleaning an anthias mouth. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Cleaner shrimp on a grouper. White banded cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) on a coral hind (Cephalopholis miniata) grouper. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brown rat, artwork
Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), artwork. This small mammal is a rodent found worldwide, especially in Europe and North America

House mouse, artwork
House mouse (Mus musculus), artwork. This small mammal is a rodent found worldwide, associated with human populations. It reaches a body length of around 10 centimetres

Three-band anemonefish (Amphriprion tricinctus) in a breeding farm. This fish is a type of clownfish. Clownfish are immune to the stings of anemones, enabling them to live within their tentacles

Anemonefish in sea anemone
Anemonefish (Amphiprion sp.) in a sea anemone. Photographed in Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, SEM
Streptococcus pneumoniae, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). S. pneumoniae are oval, Gram-positive bacteria. They are part of the normal human bacterial flora

Sea Urchin Shrimp - these shrimp spend their lives sheltered by the stinging spines of their sea urchin host
VT-9015 Sea Urchin Shrimp - these shrimp spend their lives sheltered by the stinging spines of their sea urchin host (Asthenosoma varium)

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"Discovering the Fascinating World Relationships in Indonesia's Sulawesi Island and Lembeh Strait" In the depths of Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, specifically in the enchanting Lembeh Strait, lies a hidden world where unique commensal relationships thrive. Among these captivating partnerships are two Coleman shrimp that have found solace with their unlikely companions. Under the lens of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), we uncover another intriguing example of commensalism – the eyelash mite. These minuscule creatures take shelter on our very own lashes, benefiting from our warm bodies while causing no harm. SEM reveals intricate details of their tiny bodies and delicate tails. Centuries ago, even noble households were not exempt from commensal interactions. During New Year celebrations, John, Duke of Berry's household engaged in exchanging gifts as a symbol of goodwill and mutual benefit. Venturing further into nature's tapestry, we encounter an extraordinary sight: a Peruvian Tarantula gracefully traverses over a Humming Frog. This peculiar alliance showcases how different species can coexist harmoniously for survival purposes. The mesmerizing dance continues underwater as we witness a Commensal Emperor Shrimp hitching an effortless ride on the back of a Nudibranch called Risbecia tryoni, and is awe-inspiring to witness how these marine creatures rely on each other for transportation and protection. On land, an unusual partnership unfolds between a Land Crab and Pitcher Plant in India. The crab cunningly raids this carnivorous plant for prey while avoiding its deadly traps—a testament to adaptation at its finest during British colonial times. UW INDO 2021 14 takes us back beneath Indonesian waters where yet again we observe nature's wonders unfold before our eyes—an adult Peruvian Tarantula confidently striding across the back of an unsuspecting Humming Frog—showcasing resilience amidst diversity.