List of symbiotic organisms
This is a list of organisms that are true symbiotes with other organisms. For more information on this topic, see main article: Symbiosis.
When discussing any symbiosis, at least two creatures are involved. For simplification, the smaller of the two symbiotes is listed first in this list.
Endosymbiotes
(endo = within; smaller symbiotes that live inside the other symbiotic organism)
Monocellular Organisms
- Helicobacter pylori to humans (in stomach)
- Zoochlorella to Paramecium bursaria (in cytoplasm)
- Serratia symbiotica to the Black bean aphid
- Microsporidia to a variety of animals, including humans.
Multicellular Organisms
- Lichen comprising fungi and algae or cyanobacteria
- The ant Pseudomyrmex ferruginea and the acacia tree Vachellia cornigera
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form relationships with most [plant]s
Fictional endosymbiotes
- Goa'uld to bipeds in Stargate SG-1
- Trill (Star Trek) to bipeds in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Yeerks to bipeds in Animorphs
- Midichlorians to other organisms in Star Wars
- Sentient Worms to humans in Futurama episode Parasites Lost
- Iskoort in Animorphs
- Babel fish to sentients in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- Vindrizi from "Exogenesis," in season 4 of Babylon 5
- Kergillians from the Over the Edge tabletop roleplaying game (and related card game)
- Gnoph and humans
- Worm fur to Chtorran gastropedes in War Against The Chtorr
Ectosymbiotes
(ecto = outside; symbiotes that live on but not within larger symbiotic hosts, for example, attached to their skin)
Mycorrhiza - Fungi live on the surface of the roots of most Vascular Plants
Fictional ectosymbiotes
- Venom to Peter Parker and other humans in Marvel Comics
- Carnage to humans in Marvel Comics
- The Indowy's "fur" to Indowy in the Legacy of the Aldenata
Independent symbiotes
(living in proximity and relying on one another for essential biological functions)