Coevolution
By Stella Swanson
INDEX
6. Clownfish and Anemones
1. Section 1
7. Clownfish and Anemones Cont.
2. What is Coevolution?
8. More on Clownfish & Anemones
3. What Coevolution Cont.
9. Fun Fact
4. Types of Coevolution
10. Thanks!
5. Section 2
What is Coevolution?
What is Coevolution?
Coevolution is an evolutionary process that occurs when two or more species reciprocally affect each other’s evolutionary process. It’s like the species' are embarking on the journey of evolution together. After millions of years these species form intricate bonds and systems. Depending on the type of coevolution, a species might become completely dependent on the other(s). We’ll talk about the different types of coevolution next.
There are three main relationships between species that would cause coevolution. They are; predator to prey, competitive species, and mutualistic species. Next you'll see a breakdown of what each term means.
3 Ecological Relationships Of Coevolution
Mutualistic Species
Predator to Prey
Competitive Species
This relationship is fairly self-explanatory, but it involves both predator and prey simultaneously evolving to gain the upper hand on their counterpart. For example, if a lizard developed a toxin, then its predator the snake would develop an immunity to said toxin. So the lizard evolved to have stronger toxins, and the snake evolved to have stronger immunity, and so on and so forth.
This relationship is the most peaceful of the three, it involves both species working together and evolving together to create intricate relationships. Often, the two species involved in a mutualistic relationship have a hard time surviving without their counterpart and are rarely seen without the other.
In this relationship, the two species are both competing for something such as prey, and over time they coevolve to have things like speed and night vision in an effort to get a leg up on their competition.
Today we will be looking at an in depth example of a mutualistic relationship.
2.Clownfish & Anemones
A mutualistic relationship shaped by coevolution
Clownfish And Anemones
One of the most exciting relationships formed by coevolution is that of the Clownfish and the Anemone. Their relationship is a mutualistic one, and together they are obligatory symbionts, which means that they are highly dependent on each other for survival. Symbiosis between species is rarely achieved, and in the case of this particular relationship it is achieved in several aspects including mutual protection from predators, the exchange of nutrients, and the clownfish’s tolerance of the anemone’s nematocysts. In order to live in the anemone the clownfish must protect itself from the anemone's nematocysts. Nematocysts are harpoon-like stingers that cover the anemone’s tentacles which are used to capture prey and ward off predators. The clownfish has evolved to have a thick mucus coating its scales. All fish are born with this, but the mucus of the clownfish is especially thick and becomes more viscous with age.
The stinging tentacles of the anemone protect the clownfish from predator attacks, and in turn, the clownfish protects the anemone from its predators. Now, you might be thinking, how could a little mucus-covered clownfish keep predators away from a stinging anemone? But surprisingly, they do! A frequent predator for anemones is the Butterflyfish, they are also immune to the anemone’s stings and will quite happily feed on them. Once the clownfish discover the approaching foe, it will aggressively chase it, and any other predators, off to defend its home.Along with scaring off its predators, clownfish also provide food for the anemone in the form of its waste. Clownfish also increase the flow of water through the anemone,(by swimming,) in exchange for a safe, comfy home.
Clownfish and anemones have coevolved to become intricately linked and are very dependent on each other for survival. Their relationship is an exemplary one where coevolution is concerned, and as far as we know, they are still evolving! Perhaps in the next hundred years, they will have developed more fascinating superpowers!
Fun Fact
Of the nearly 1,000 different species of anemones that live in the ocean, only 10 species can coexist with the 26 species of clownfish. Within these species, only select pairings of anemones and clownfish are compatible.
THANKS FOR READING!
Coevolution
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Learn about coevolution as demonstrated by the unique relationship between Clownfish & Sea Anemones.
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Transcript
Coevolution
By Stella Swanson
INDEX
6. Clownfish and Anemones
1. Section 1
7. Clownfish and Anemones Cont.
2. What is Coevolution?
8. More on Clownfish & Anemones
3. What Coevolution Cont.
9. Fun Fact
4. Types of Coevolution
10. Thanks!
5. Section 2
What is Coevolution?
What is Coevolution?
Coevolution is an evolutionary process that occurs when two or more species reciprocally affect each other’s evolutionary process. It’s like the species' are embarking on the journey of evolution together. After millions of years these species form intricate bonds and systems. Depending on the type of coevolution, a species might become completely dependent on the other(s). We’ll talk about the different types of coevolution next.
There are three main relationships between species that would cause coevolution. They are; predator to prey, competitive species, and mutualistic species. Next you'll see a breakdown of what each term means.
3 Ecological Relationships Of Coevolution
Mutualistic Species
Predator to Prey
Competitive Species
This relationship is fairly self-explanatory, but it involves both predator and prey simultaneously evolving to gain the upper hand on their counterpart. For example, if a lizard developed a toxin, then its predator the snake would develop an immunity to said toxin. So the lizard evolved to have stronger toxins, and the snake evolved to have stronger immunity, and so on and so forth.
This relationship is the most peaceful of the three, it involves both species working together and evolving together to create intricate relationships. Often, the two species involved in a mutualistic relationship have a hard time surviving without their counterpart and are rarely seen without the other.
In this relationship, the two species are both competing for something such as prey, and over time they coevolve to have things like speed and night vision in an effort to get a leg up on their competition.
Today we will be looking at an in depth example of a mutualistic relationship.
2.Clownfish & Anemones
A mutualistic relationship shaped by coevolution
Clownfish And Anemones
One of the most exciting relationships formed by coevolution is that of the Clownfish and the Anemone. Their relationship is a mutualistic one, and together they are obligatory symbionts, which means that they are highly dependent on each other for survival. Symbiosis between species is rarely achieved, and in the case of this particular relationship it is achieved in several aspects including mutual protection from predators, the exchange of nutrients, and the clownfish’s tolerance of the anemone’s nematocysts. In order to live in the anemone the clownfish must protect itself from the anemone's nematocysts. Nematocysts are harpoon-like stingers that cover the anemone’s tentacles which are used to capture prey and ward off predators. The clownfish has evolved to have a thick mucus coating its scales. All fish are born with this, but the mucus of the clownfish is especially thick and becomes more viscous with age.
The stinging tentacles of the anemone protect the clownfish from predator attacks, and in turn, the clownfish protects the anemone from its predators. Now, you might be thinking, how could a little mucus-covered clownfish keep predators away from a stinging anemone? But surprisingly, they do! A frequent predator for anemones is the Butterflyfish, they are also immune to the anemone’s stings and will quite happily feed on them. Once the clownfish discover the approaching foe, it will aggressively chase it, and any other predators, off to defend its home.Along with scaring off its predators, clownfish also provide food for the anemone in the form of its waste. Clownfish also increase the flow of water through the anemone,(by swimming,) in exchange for a safe, comfy home.
Clownfish and anemones have coevolved to become intricately linked and are very dependent on each other for survival. Their relationship is an exemplary one where coevolution is concerned, and as far as we know, they are still evolving! Perhaps in the next hundred years, they will have developed more fascinating superpowers!
Fun Fact
Of the nearly 1,000 different species of anemones that live in the ocean, only 10 species can coexist with the 26 species of clownfish. Within these species, only select pairings of anemones and clownfish are compatible.
THANKS FOR READING!