My Photo__2020__06-24_Leaf-Diseased_34-Edit

One type of antagonistic relationship is a parasitic relationship. This type of unwilling relationship is when the parasite depends on the host organism for its survival, harming, and sometimes killing its host for its own benefit. In some relationships, the death of the host is indirect as some parasites carry and transmit diseases, like a tick carrying Lyme disease. Despite this, it is often in the parasite’s best interest to avoid killing the host as their host’s death leaves the organism without a home, food source, and in some cases could lead to the parasite's death.

This leaf shows signs of a parasitic relationship where the host is harmed but not killed, its negative effects can be seen in the leaf’s early discoloration, leaf spots, and coming defoliation. This parasitic relationship is between a fungus and a leaf but parasitic relationships can exist between multiple different organisms, parasites can range from plants, bacteria, insects, arachnids, and more.

Nikon D3200 camera, Tamron 60mm macro lens
Aperture Priority: ISO 800, 60mm, f-9, 1-125 sec
Photographed 6-24-2020 at The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska Minnesota
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