Many systems can be observed in the natural environment. These systems can be found in relationships between different types of organisms. Some forms of life search for a host to live in as a parasite. Others use various methods of hunting prey for food. My graphic describes the symbiotic relationship between the anemone and the clownfish.
The graphic shows three separate organisms. The large pink square is the sea anemone, the small square in the middle is the clownfish, and the large striped square is the larger fish that preys on the clownfish. Sea anemones have stinging cells called nematocysts located in their tentacles (National Geographic). Once touched, the sea anemone releases a chemical that paralyzes the fish (National Geographic). The fish is then pulled into its mouth (National Geographic). Unlike the rest, clownfish are not affected by these stings because their skin has a substance which suppresses these toxins, which allows them to find protection from other prey by hiding inside the sea anemone (National Geographic). The sea anemone also benefits from this relationship because the clownfish attracts prey due to its bright colors (National Geographic). As a result, the sea anemone is able to acquire more food. In my illustration, the angelfish tries to eat the clownfish, but instead, becomes the one being eaten in the end, while the clownfish is safely protected by the sea anemone.
Jason Revok, Systems
http://www.lscgallery.com/jason-revok-systems
My inspiration came from an artwork by Jason Revok, titled, Systems. The artwork almost looks like a rectangular Venn diagram, and realizing that the common aspect which acts as the connection between the three relationships is the clownfish, I placed it in the center. I used an angelfish to represent the type of fish that prey on clownfish, however, I later found out through research that this type of fish is a freshwater angelfish, a fish that could not live in the same waters as a marine fish such as the clownfish (Fishbase).
In the wild, different systems and strategies are used for survival. Although many of these strategies involve the death of an animal for the benefit of another, some act to provide for each other, like the sea anemone and the clownfish.
Works Cited
“Amphiprion Percula Summary Page.” FishBase, www.fishbase.se/summary/Amphiprion-percula.html.
National Geographic Society. “Symbiosis: The Art of Living Together.” National Geographic Society, 17 Apr. 2019,www.nationalgeographic.org/article/symbiosis-art-living-together/.
“Pterophyllum Scalare Summary Page.” FishBase, www.fishbase.se/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=4717&AT=Freshwater+angelfish. Accessed 14 Feb. 2020.
Revok, Jason. Systems, 22 Oct. 2016, www.lscgallery.com/jason-revok-systems. Accessed 13 Feb. 2020.
