COMMENSAL AND MUTUALISTIC INTERACTIONS AMONG TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES

Although overlooked in many field studies, commensal and mutualistic interactions occur frequently between species of terrestrial vertebrates. Potential advantages for individuals in mixed-species associations are very diverse, and include reduction in parasite load, reduced risk of predation, and increased access to food a nd other resources. Recent theoretical and experimental studies reveal the prevalence of such interactions among terrestrial vertebrates, and also confirm their importance within communities thought previously to be dominated by interspecific competition.