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Symbiotic Relationship Collection (page 4)

In the vast ocean, a Dugong gracefully glides through the water, its massive body nourished by a seagrass meadow

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Illustration of dorsal view of male Body Louse (Pediculus humanus var. corporis)

Illustration of dorsal view of male Body Louse (Pediculus humanus var. corporis)

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Illustration of Clown Fish in tentacles of Sea Anenome

Illustration of Clown Fish in tentacles of Sea Anenome

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Illustration of ants carrying primrose seeds

Illustration of ants carrying primrose seeds

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Illustration of Cleaner Fish (Elacatinus) inside mouth of large fish

Illustration of Cleaner Fish (Elacatinus) inside mouth of large fish

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Clown Fish on Green Anemone

Clown Fish on Green Anemone
Nemo on green anemone

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Colorful Butterly on Orange Flower

Colorful Butterly on Orange Flower
a multi-colored butterfly land upon an orange and yellow flower

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Swallowtail in a Scarlet Dream

Swallowtail in a Scarlet Dream
A Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly drawing the nectar at Red Columbine flowers with a lovely water reflection of the butterfly and flowers

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Sparkling Beauty Annas Hummingbird

Sparkling Beauty Annas Hummingbird
A closeup of an Annas Hummingbird enjoying the nectar found in these pretty pink flowers..set upon a bokeh and linen textured background

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
A textured image of a Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly gingerly extracting the nectar from a flower at the Los Angeles Arboretum

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Shrimp on a sea fan, Belize

Shrimp on a sea fan, Belize

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Bumblebee shrimp on adhesive anemone, Australia

Bumblebee shrimp on adhesive anemone, Australia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Starfish cover the sandy seafloor near Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Starfish cover the sandy seafloor near Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This remote, Pacific island is famous for its healthy fish and shark populations

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A magnificent sea anemone hosts anemonefish in Komodo National Park

A magnificent sea anemone hosts anemonefish in Komodo National Park
A colorful magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) hosts anemonefish in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A bulbed anemone grows on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

A bulbed anemone grows on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A bulbed anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) grows on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A lionfish hunts for prey on a colorful coral reef

A lionfish hunts for prey on a colorful coral reef
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) hunts for prey on a colorful coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This fish is a common predator on Indo-Pacific reefs

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Commensal shrimp on green anemone, Papua New Guinea

Commensal shrimp on green anemone, Papua New Guinea
Commensal shrimp (Periclimenes holthuisi) on green anemone, Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A colorful gorgonian grows off Turneffe Atoll in Belize

A colorful gorgonian grows off Turneffe Atoll in Belize
A colorful gorgonian grows in shallow water off Turneffe Atoll in Belize. This part of Central America is well known for its clear waters and beautiful coral reefs

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on corals on a reef

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on corals on a reef
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on corals on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Crinoids cling to a large sponge on a healthy coral reef

Crinoids cling to a large sponge on a healthy coral reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Oceanic blacktip sharks with remora and fusiliers swimming around

Oceanic blacktip sharks with remora and fusiliers swimming around
Several oceanic blacktip sharks with remora in tow and fusiliers around, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: An unusual sea star clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka

An unusual sea star clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka
An unusual sea star (Linckia laevigata) clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Reef-building corals near Alor, Indonesia

Reef-building corals near Alor, Indonesia
Reef-building corals and other invertebrates thrive in shallow water near Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Commensal shrimp on brown anemone, North Sulawesi

Commensal shrimp on brown anemone, North Sulawesi
Commensal shrimp (periclimenes magnificus) on brown anemone, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Sarasvati anemone shrimp in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Sarasvati anemone shrimp in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Sarasvati anemone shrimp (Periclimenes sarasvati) in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A tiny cleaner shrimp removes parasites from a Black-finned snake eel

A tiny cleaner shrimp removes parasites from a Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus cephalozona) on a sandy seafloor in Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A tube anemone on a sand slope in Indonesia

A tube anemone on a sand slope in Indonesia
A tube anemone (Cerianthid sp.) feeds on planktonic organisms on a sand slope in Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A fire coral colony grows in Komodo National Park

A fire coral colony grows in Komodo National Park
A fire coral colony grows in extremely shallow water in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A tiny shrimp lives on a starfish in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

A tiny shrimp lives on a starfish in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its extremely high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Shrimp on bubble coral, Indonesia

Shrimp on bubble coral, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A colorful gorgonian grows on a reef dropoff in Raja Ampat

A colorful gorgonian grows on a reef dropoff in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This beautiful region is known for its spectacular reefs and high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A red sea fan with sponge colored clam attached, Papua New Guinea

A red sea fan with sponge colored clam attached, Papua New Guinea
A red sea fan (Melthaea sp.) with sponge colored clam attached, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Pair of Clown Anemonefish, Indonesia

Pair of Clown Anemonefish, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Whale Shark off coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Whale Shark off coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Nudibranch with orange emperor shrimp, Bali, Indonesia

Nudibranch with orange emperor shrimp, Bali, Indonesia
Mexichromis multitubeculata sea slug nudibranch with orange emperor shrimp, Bali, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Colorful gorgonians grow in off Turneffe Atoll in Belize

Colorful gorgonians grow in off Turneffe Atoll in Belize
Colorful gorgonians grow in shallow water off Turneffe Atoll in Belize. This part of Central America is well known for its clear waters and beautiful coral reefs

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Orange blenny peeking out of a tube, Komodo, Indonesia

Orange blenny peeking out of a tube, Komodo, Indonesia
Smiling orange blenny peeking out of a tube, Komodo, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A pair of anemonefish in its host anemone, Manado, Indonesia

A pair of anemonefish in its host anemone, Manado, Indonesia
A pair of anemonefish in its host anemone, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Sunrays shining on an oceanic blacktip shark with remora

Sunrays shining on an oceanic blacktip shark with remora
An oceanic blacktip shark swims by with remora in tow, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Oceanic blacktip sharks in a cloud of silver fish, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Oceanic blacktip sharks in a cloud of silver fish, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
A pair of oceanic blacktip sharks with remora in tow pass each other by in a cloud of silvery fish, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A pair of Colemans shrimp live among the venomous spines of a fire urchin

A pair of Colemans shrimp live among the venomous spines of a fire urchin
A pair of Colemans shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) live among the venomous spines of a fire urchin in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Isopod feeding on a Creolefish

Isopod feeding on a Creolefish, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Delicate reef-building corals in Alor, Indonesia

Delicate reef-building corals in Alor, Indonesia
Delicate reef-building corals thrive in shallow water in Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Spotted porcelain crab in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi Indonesia

Spotted porcelain crab in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi Indonesia
Spotted porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) in anemone, Gorontalo, Sulawesi Indonesia

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: A beautiful starfish lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia

A beautiful starfish lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia
A beautiful starfish (Linckia laevigata) lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Oceanic blacktip sharks with remora in the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Oceanic blacktip sharks with remora in the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
A pair of oceanic blacktip sharks with remora in tow pass each other by, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Detail of a sea star on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Detail of a sea star on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its extremely high marine biodiversity

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Spotted cleaner shrimp on pink tipped anemone in Curacao

Spotted cleaner shrimp on pink tipped anemone in Curacao

Background imageSymbiotic Relationship Collection: Anemonefish in an anemone, Australia

Anemonefish in an anemone, Australia




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In the vast ocean, a Dugong gracefully glides through the water, its massive body nourished by a seagrass meadow. This gentle giant relies on the symbiotic relationship it shares with Halophila stipulacea to sustain its life. Meanwhile, in prehistoric times, an Alvarezsaurid bird fearlessly approaches the mouth of a Giganotosaurus carolinii dinosaur. With meticulous care, it cleans away remnants of food from between the sharp teeth of this mighty predator. A remarkable example of mutualism in ancient ecosystems. On sandy shores, intricate patterns emerge as Mint-sauce worms wriggle beneath the surface. These tiny creatures create trails that serve as shelter for other organisms and contribute to beach stability—a harmonious partnership between nature and these fascinating worms. Beneath turquoise waters, a Western clownfish seeks refuge within the tentacles of a Magnificent sea anemone. In return for protection against predators, this vibrant fish provides nutrients to its host—an extraordinary case of mutual dependence. In Mexican seas, a Giant manta ray majestically soars above coral reefs while Remoras cling onto both wings. These small hitchhikers enjoy free transportation and access to leftover meals provided by their gracious host—the epitome of commensalism in marine environments. Far off on Tenerife's coastlines lie Ocean sunfish swimming alongside Pilot fish—two species united by mutual benefit. The sunfish offers protection from potential threats while enjoying parasite removal services provided by its loyal companions. Within coral reefs dwells another helpful creature—the Bluestreak cleaner wrasse diligently cleaning among sharp teeth belonging to various reef inhabitants. Its bravery ensures not only dental hygiene but also sustenance for itself—a classic example of mutualistic behavior underwater. Back in ocean depths where darkness reigns supreme resides another symbiotic duo—the Dugong and juvenile Golden trevally swim side by side.