Shark vs. Neighboring species:
Sharks as the top of the food chain is most likely to only act one way or only have one type of relationship with the other neighboring species which is known as predation. In this relationship there is the predator and there is the prey. In this type of relationships the predator is benefiting and the prey is getting the negative part because they are being eaten. The predator benefits because they are getting the energy from their food supply. Although sharks seem like killing machines and all they can do with other species is to kill them and feed on them, they actually have a couple mutualistic relationships.
Sharks as the top of the food chain is most likely to only act one way or only have one type of relationship with the other neighboring species which is known as predation. In this relationship there is the predator and there is the prey. In this type of relationships the predator is benefiting and the prey is getting the negative part because they are being eaten. The predator benefits because they are getting the energy from their food supply. Although sharks seem like killing machines and all they can do with other species is to kill them and feed on them, they actually have a couple mutualistic relationships.
Mutualism?
Mutualism is a relationships between two species but they both get something positive out of it, and nothing theres nothing negative towards either of the species. Two species lucky enough to have this friendly relationship with the infamous sharks are Pilot fish and Remoras. Both of these species of fish feed of sharks but this is positive for the sharks because these fish eat things that are harmmful for the sharks. For example the Pilot fish swim along the sharks to eat any small crabs or blood-sucking worms that are parasites of the shark. The sharks aren't getting eaten by these little parasites thanks to the Pilot fish, and the fish benefit because they get a meal and get protection from this beastly animal due to the fact that they swim alongside them. The Remoras are similar in the way that they get protection and a free meal from the sharks. The difference is that they attach themselves to the shark and feed on the parasites that are found in the scales and fins of the shark. These relationships are unlikely positive two both species in the relationship rather than the shark just eating anything in its way.
Mutualism is a relationships between two species but they both get something positive out of it, and nothing theres nothing negative towards either of the species. Two species lucky enough to have this friendly relationship with the infamous sharks are Pilot fish and Remoras. Both of these species of fish feed of sharks but this is positive for the sharks because these fish eat things that are harmmful for the sharks. For example the Pilot fish swim along the sharks to eat any small crabs or blood-sucking worms that are parasites of the shark. The sharks aren't getting eaten by these little parasites thanks to the Pilot fish, and the fish benefit because they get a meal and get protection from this beastly animal due to the fact that they swim alongside them. The Remoras are similar in the way that they get protection and a free meal from the sharks. The difference is that they attach themselves to the shark and feed on the parasites that are found in the scales and fins of the shark. These relationships are unlikely positive two both species in the relationship rather than the shark just eating anything in its way.