The Symbiotic Relationship Between the Albatross and Killer Whale
When considering symbiotic relationships, you may think about the mutualistic relationship between a Clown fish and a sea anemone or the parasitic relationship between a tick and a deer. However, thinking about a symbiotic relationship between a bird and a large marine mammal may be hard to wrap your head around.
Scientists from the National Institute of Polar Research have discovered that the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) and the Killer whale (Orcinus orca) share a special connection. They have a commensalistic relationship, which means that one of the organisms is benefiting from the interaction, while the other is not affected in any manner. In this case, the albatross is benefitting from the feeding routine of the killer whale. At sea, the black-browed albatross will follow it’s whale friend and take advantage of the schools of fish it’s friend gathers up to the surface of the water.
In order to capture this peculiar behavior, scientists attached a small camera weighing 82g to the backs of four black-browed albatrosses. The video footage revealed that while albatrosses left their nest and young to forage for food in groups, they turned to killer whales to help them be more efficient while catching prey during a single foraging period. The albatross benefits greatly from its interaction with the killer whale and this just goes to show that some relationships between different species, no matter how farfetched they may seem, can be a determining factor in the way that species behaves and survives.
The topic of symbiotic relationships causes me to wonder about the Earth as a whole. It reminds me that every entity is connected in one way or another. Two different species may not even interact at all or have any special relationship, but the absence of one could greatly impact the existence of another. This is why the Earth and all it’s living things are so beautiful and complex.
Journal Reference:
Sakamoto KQ, Takahashi A, Iwata T, Trathan PN. From the Eye of the Albatrosses: A Bird-Borne Camera Shows an Association between Albatrosses and a Killer Whale in the Southern Ocean. PLoS ONE, 2009; 4(10): e7322
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-Stefanie Marotte
That’s cool that animals that seem so different can be connected. But if the killer whale is gathering up fish isn’t the albatross stealing the fish from the whale? If that is the case wouldn’t the whale be putting in energy and work for a smaller reward and actually be receiving a negative benefit from the interaction?
ReplyDeletePosted by Sara Weaver
I had no idea that when whales feed they bring the school of fish to the surface. I'm kinda glad though because I like hearng or reading about commensalisms because one organism isnt harmed at all and one is still getting a fighting chance to survive. Catching fish for the bird seems like it would be a strenous task if it weren't for the whales. I'm glad it's not all cut throat competition because then there wouldnt be as much variety of species that we have today. You picked a good article.
ReplyDelete-Katie Cyr
I definitely agree that this article demonstrates the complexity and fragile balance of ecosystems. It’s very refreshing to hear how one species can greatly help another. However, what happens when the killer whales move to new waters or migrate? Do the albatrosses follow them, or do they have to resort to more difficult measures of obtaining food?
ReplyDeletePosted by Katie Kalutkiewicz
Commensalistic relationships are always great to learn about, especially in the albatross's case since they span great distances over the open ocean looking for food. The killer whale must make it much easier for the birds to find food so I also wonder how their foraging behavior changes when the killer whales migrate. Does the commensalistic relationship apply for all large marine animals that rise to the ocean surface?
ReplyDelete-Kevin Tse
That's a pretty neat article. I wonder if the albatross passed down this hunting strategy through learning or if the birds are born with the innate knowledge to find killer whales.
ReplyDeletePosted by- Charles Carville
I have actually had the opportunity to watch killer whales feed and I saw many different birds using this method to get fish. It was amazing! I wonder if the migratory patterns of the albatross somehow correlate to the migratory patterns of the killer whale?
ReplyDelete- Amanda Grafstein
@ Sara Weaver: That's a really great question. I don't really think an albatross or even a flock of albatrosses could take too many fish from the whale, but that's a true statement - they would be removing fish from the same school the whale was after.
ReplyDelete@ Katie Cyr: I think commensalism and symbiotic relationships in general are awesome too! It's nice to see that animals can work together to help one another!
@Katie K: I am actually not sure how to answer your question. I know that following the killer whales is not the only tool the albatrosses use to obtain food. So, if the whales leave, the albatross would just resort to a different way of catching their prey.
@Kevin: I only know of the albatross and killer whale relationship as of late, but I'm sure it's possible that this relationship could exist between other marine animals.
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ReplyDeleteThis relationship just shows yet another wonder of nature and how it works in myriads of ways. Who would have ever thought that albatross flying in the sky would seek the help of a killer whale that lives in the deep ocean. I had no idea that whales drove the school of fishes up to the surface in order to feed on them.
ReplyDeleteLoba Alam