commensal Definition
an organism that lives in, on, or with another organism, without causing harm or benefit to the host.
Using commensal: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "commensal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The remora is a commensal fish that attaches itself to sharks and feeds on scraps from the shark's meals.
Example
Bacteria in the human gut are commensals that help with digestion.
Example
The tiny mites that live on our eyelashes are commensals that feed on dead skin cells.
commensal Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with commensal
a relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed
Example
The relationship between cattle egrets and grazing cattle is an example of commensalism.
an organism that can live independently or as a commensal depending on the environment
Example
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a facultative commensal bacterium that can live on human skin without causing harm.
Example
Trichonympha is an obligate commensal protist that lives in the gut of termites and helps digest cellulose.
Origins of commensal
from Latin 'commensalis', meaning 'sharing a table'
Summary: commensal in Brief
'Commensal' [kuh-men-suhl] refers to an organism that lives in, on, or with another organism without causing harm or benefit to the host. Examples include the remora fish that attaches itself to sharks and bacteria in the human gut. 'Commensal' extends into phrases like 'commensalism,' denoting a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is not affected, and terms like 'facultative commensal' and 'obligate commensal,' describing organisms that can live independently or only as commensals.
