Relationships

Predation: the relationship between a predator and a prey where the predator always benefits, and the prey is always harmed

An example of a predator-prey relationship in the Amazon Rainforest is between a jaguar and a sloth. In this relationship, since it gets food, the jaguar usually profits, and the sloth is usually harmed because it dies. As sloths are very slow, the sloths are usually attacked by jaguars, which ensures that they are easily caught and fed on.

Competition: the relationship between two or more organisms fighting for the same resources

An example of competition in the Amazon Rainforest is the relationship between all the plants under the canopy layer. The organisms under the tree canopy do not receive a lot of sunlight, so they have to compete with each other, therefore the plants have learned to adapt due to the competition between plants.

Mutualism: this relationship is one which both partners benefit from

In the Amazon Rainforest, an example of a mutualism is the relationship between capuchin monkeys and flowering trees. The flowering trees in the rainforest provide the capuchin monkeys' food whilst the monkeys provide pollination. This is a beneficial relationship to both partners because capuchin monkeys eat the flowers' nectar, therefore pollen gets onto their face, and as they move on to another tree the pollen is distributed.

Commensalism: only one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed

An example of commensalism in the rainforest is the relationship between Ecitoninae Ants (army ants) and Antbirds. Army ants are ants that travel together and eat anything that comes their way, whereas the Antbird eats what the Ecitoninae Ants leave behind. The bird is benefitting from the ants because it is feeding off of what they leave behind, but the ants are neither harmed or helped as they are oblivious to this occurring.

Parasitism: one organism (the parasite) benefits, while the other (the host) suffers

In the Amazon, an example of parasitism is found in the relationship between Phorid flies and leaf cutter ants. Phorid flies are flies that attach themselves to the leaf cutter ants and lay eggs inside them. When these eggs then hatch, the larvae that come out of them eat their way out of the ant's body leaving the ants dead. The flies' dependence on the ants benefits them, but as a result, harms the ants. In summary, Phorid flies use ants to hatch and grow their eggs, therefore the leaf cutter ants die.