CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS OF TYPES OF SYMBIOSES
I n studying heterospecific associations among organisms, a number
of terms have been coined to describe types of relationships. These,
however, like so many biological terms, are essentially operational
words that are defineable only within broad limits. They are nevertheless useful in that they permit the filing of data into convenient,
although in some instances poorly defined and overlapping, compartments. Specifically, the terms symbiosis, parasitism, commensalism,
mutualism, inquilinism, phoresis and even predation are often found
in the literature pertaining to heterospecific associations.
In recent years, various authors (including Lapage, 1958 ; Baer,
1952; Caullery, 1952; Cameron, 1956; Dales, 1957, 1966; Hopkins,
1957b; Yonge, 1957; Dogiel, 1962; Olsen, 1962; Noble and Noble,
1961 ; Smyth, 1962 ; Sprent, 1963 ; Lincicome, 1963 ; Cheng, 1964b ;
Geiman, 1964; Henry, 1966; Croll, 1966) have presented and discussed
definitions for terms that describe heterospecific associations, and, as to
be expected, differences, depending upon the immediate interests of
the author, exist, sometimes only slightly. In order that the meanings
implied by me in the subsequent pages are clear, those terms that I
consider useful are defined below.
I. SYMBIOSIS
The term symbiosis, as originally coined by De Bary (1879) to
mean no more than " living together ", is being retained in its original
sense, although some authors have used symbiosis as a synonym of
mutualism. Thus symbiosis is the broad, all-encompassing term used to
describe all types of heterospecific associations, excluding predation,
during which there exists physical contact or intimate proximity
between the two members. There are no implications of benefit
acquirement or giving, nutritional dependency, or infliction or receipt
of harm. Thus symbiosis is a broad ecological term under which can be
categorized parasitism, commensalism, mutualism and phoresis. AS
explained later, I have chosen to consider inquilinism to be no different
from commensalism. It is with this or a very'similar definition in mind
that Read (1958a) has suggested " a science of symbiosis " and Noble
4
DEFINITIONS OF TYPES OF SYMBIOSES
I n studying heterospecific associations among organisms, a number
of terms have been coined to describe types of relationships. These,
however, like so many biological terms, are essentially operational
words that are defineable only within broad limits. They are nevertheless useful in that they permit the filing of data into convenient,
although in some instances poorly defined and overlapping, compartments. Specifically, the terms symbiosis, parasitism, commensalism,
mutualism, inquilinism, phoresis and even predation are often found
in the literature pertaining to heterospecific associations.
In recent years, various authors (including Lapage, 1958 ; Baer,
1952; Caullery, 1952; Cameron, 1956; Dales, 1957, 1966; Hopkins,
1957b; Yonge, 1957; Dogiel, 1962; Olsen, 1962; Noble and Noble,
1961 ; Smyth, 1962 ; Sprent, 1963 ; Lincicome, 1963 ; Cheng, 1964b ;
Geiman, 1964; Henry, 1966; Croll, 1966) have presented and discussed
definitions for terms that describe heterospecific associations, and, as to
be expected, differences, depending upon the immediate interests of
the author, exist, sometimes only slightly. In order that the meanings
implied by me in the subsequent pages are clear, those terms that I
consider useful are defined below.
I. SYMBIOSIS
The term symbiosis, as originally coined by De Bary (1879) to
mean no more than " living together ", is being retained in its original
sense, although some authors have used symbiosis as a synonym of
mutualism. Thus symbiosis is the broad, all-encompassing term used to
describe all types of heterospecific associations, excluding predation,
during which there exists physical contact or intimate proximity
between the two members. There are no implications of benefit
acquirement or giving, nutritional dependency, or infliction or receipt
of harm. Thus symbiosis is a broad ecological term under which can be
categorized parasitism, commensalism, mutualism and phoresis. AS
explained later, I have chosen to consider inquilinism to be no different
from commensalism. It is with this or a very'similar definition in mind
that Read (1958a) has suggested " a science of symbiosis " and Noble
4