Phoresis
Temporary commensalism for transport / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Phoresis or phoresy is a temporary commensalistic relationship when an organism (a phoront or phoretic) attaches itself to a host organism solely for travel.[2] It has been seen in ticks and mites since the 18th century,[3] and in fossils 320 million years old.[2] It is not restricted to arthropods or animals; plants with seeds that disperse by attaching themselves to animals are also considered to be phoretic.[4]
Phoresis is rooted in the Greek words phoras (bearing) and phor (thief).[3] The term, originally defined in 1896 as a relationship in which the host acts as a vehicle for its passenger, clashed with other terminology being developed at the time, so constraints on the length of time, feeding, and ontogeny are now considered.[3] Phoresis is used as a strategy for dispersal,[5][6] seasonal migration,[7] transport to new host/habitat,[8] escaping ephemeral habitats,[9][3] and reducing inbreeding depression.[10] In addition to the benefits afforded to individuals and species, its presence can add to the ecological diversity and complexity of an ecosystem.[4]