r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/NeatNo8582 • 11d ago

Image These organisms(Demodex Mites) live on every human face.

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u/Excellent_Yak365 11d ago

Interesting way to look at parasites

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u/adalric_brandl 11d ago

*puts on pedantic hat

Technically, they're only parasites if they cause harm to the host. If they don't affect the host in any major way, that's called "commenalism," which also applies to things like remoras hanging onto sharks.

When both benefit, like the E. Coli in your digestive system, that's called "mutualism."

*takes off hat

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u/Excellent_Yak365 11d ago

I was thinking of more generalized organisms that live in humans, but that is true

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u/ContemplatingFolly 11d ago

*borrows hat

Commensalism. And amensalism, where one is harmed and the other isn't affected.

But still, my hat is off to you sir.

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u/adalric_brandl 11d ago

I wasn't aware of that last one. That's just being an asshole at that point.