Segnosaur
Penultimate Amazing
A long time ago (in a galaxy far far away), I remember learning the definition of symbiosis involved 2 species interacting with each other in a mutually beneficial way. Parasitism was defined as something all together different (one species benefits from the interaction, the other is harmed.)
However, I recently came across a different description. For example, Wikipedia defines symbiosis as the interaction between 2 species, regardless of whether one or both of the species is harmed. Thus, "parasitism" is simply another type of symbiosis, and what I had been classifying as symbiosis was actually mutualism.
So, my question is: Was I remembering the definition of "symbiosis" incorrectly (or was I taught incorrectly)? Or has the definition been changed somehow in the past decade or 2 since I last took biology to make it more inclusive?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis
However, I recently came across a different description. For example, Wikipedia defines symbiosis as the interaction between 2 species, regardless of whether one or both of the species is harmed. Thus, "parasitism" is simply another type of symbiosis, and what I had been classifying as symbiosis was actually mutualism.
So, my question is: Was I remembering the definition of "symbiosis" incorrectly (or was I taught incorrectly)? Or has the definition been changed somehow in the past decade or 2 since I last took biology to make it more inclusive?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis