Biodiversity and Survival

The relationship between the salmonella bacteria and human or animal host is called parasitism symbiosis. Parasitism symbiosis is when one species benefits from the relationship while the other suffers. The salmonella bacteria benefits while inside the host body and the host suffers and may even die because of it. The salmonella bacteria is known as an endoparasite. This is because as the salmonella bacteria lives inside the host body, not outside.

The biodiversity of the salmonella bacteria helps the bacteria survive. This is because different strains of salmonella effect living things differently. Certain strains of salmonella bacteria only effect certain species and certain hosts. One strain of salmonella only effects animals and won’t harm humans. This helps them survive because some hosts cannot fight back or are more susceptible to salmonella than others. Other strains have different symptoms when the host gets infected, ranging from severe to minor. This allows the bacteria to stay in the body longer before going noticed. Other strains also have a different strength of infection, meaning it could be harder for them to get killed and easier for them to survive in the body. One example of this is known as typhoid fever, which is caused by a strain of salmonella. Typhoid fever usually causes death if left untreated. Some strains of salmonella live in different environments, giving them a larger range of infection and helps them survive. Another way diversity has helped salmonella survive is the fact that some strains of salmonella can live outside the body longer, meaning the have a better chance of infecting others and lasting longer.