Symbiosis and organism relationships: Does Venom really exist?

To all Marvel and Movie fans (and everyone who loves science):

“Symbiosis” is the overarching term used to describe the close, often long-term interactions between two different organisms. These interactions and relationships can be beneficial for both parties, detrimental to one, or simply neutral. The broad spectrum of symbiotic relationships can be divided into 3 main categories:

1. Mutualism, where both species benefit;

2. Commensalism, where one benefits without harming the other;

3. Parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

While these dynamics are commonly observed in nature, they also surface in a variety of popular movies, most notably the relationship between Venom and his human host, Eddie Brock.

But does Venom’s symbiotic bond with Eddie Brock reflect real-life biological interactions? Is there really an organism that gives its host “supernatural” abilities? The symbiosis between Venom and Brock is unique, blending elements of both mutualistic and parasitic relationships. To understand the depth of this fictional symbiosis, let’s examine the real-world counterparts of mutualistic and parasitic relationships in nature and see how they hold up against Venom's complex bond with Brock.

The Symbiosis of Venom and Eddie Brock: A Dual-sided Relationship

In the Spiderman comics and recent films, the Venom symbiote is an alien organism that bonds with Eddie Brock, granting him enhanced strength, agility, and other superhuman abilities. However, we also observe how Venom is a symbiote who needs a host to survive, much like a parasite.

Mutualistic Aspects:

On one hand, the symbiote enhances Eddie Brock’s physical capabilities beyond what is humanly possible. For Brock, when he turns into his “complete form”, the symbiote offers protection, strength, and a sense of invulnerability, transforming him from an ordinary man into the powerful antihero Venom. This mirrors mutualistic relationships in nature where both organisms benefit from the interaction. For instance, the mutualism between oxpeckers and large herbivores like rhinos and buffalo is an excellent example. The oxpeckers feed on ticks and parasites that infest the animals, gaining nourishment, while the herbivores benefit from being rid of bothersome pests.

However, much like in true mutualism, the benefits for both parties in the Venom-Brock relationship are not entirely equal. Brock enjoys new physical abilities, while the symbiote also feeds off Brock's brain and emotions, particularly a chemical called Phenethylamine (PEA - a central nervous system stimulant found commonly in brain tissue), which it thrives on.

Parasitic Aspects:

On the other hand, the symbiote also exhibits parasitic qualities, taking control of Brock’s body and often pushing him into violent actions. The symbiote inevitably influences Brock’s behavior, manipulating him for its own benefit. This parallels parasitic relationships in nature, where one organism benefits at the expense of another. A real-world example of this is the parasitic wasp (Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga). This wasp lays its eggs on the abdomen of a spider. When the larvae hatch, they inject a venomous substance into the spider, altering its behavior so that it spins a web suitable for the larvae to feed on. The wasp benefits from this by ensuring its offspring’s survival, while the spider is ultimately killed in the process.

Similarly, the Venom symbiote, while offering benefits, also exerts control over Eddie, pushing him toward destructive behavior. It can thus also be seen as a parasite, using Brock’s body for its own gain, regardless of the harm it causes him.

Real-Life Mutualism and Parasitism: Nature’s Symbiotic Wonders

Mutualism in Nature:

In nature, mutualistic relationships are abundant and essential for the survival of many species. From spiders and frogs being mutual bodyguards, to bees helping pollinate flowers and receiving a sweet treat in return, both organisms in mutualism always benefit some way or another. One fascinating example is the relationship between coral reefs and algae (zooxanthellae). The algae live within the coral's tissues and photosynthesise, providing the coral with essential nutrients in return for a protected environment and access to sunlight. The coral benefits from the algae’s ability to create food through photosynthesis, while the algae benefit from the shelter and nutrients provided by the coral.

Another well-known example of mutualism can be seen in the relationship between the goby fish and pistol shrimp. The shrimp digs and maintains a burrow in the sea floor, providing both itself and the goby with protection from predators. In exchange, the goby acts as a lookout, warning the shrimp of approaching dangers. If a threat is detected, the goby emits a signal, and both the fish and the shrimp retreat into the burrow for safety. This partnership helps both species survive in the often dangerous environments of the ocean floor.

Parasitism in Nature:

In contrast, parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the cost of the other. One striking example of parasitism is the relationship between the Cymothoa exigua, or the "tongue-eating louse," and its host fish. The parasite enters the fish's mouth, attaches itself to the tongue, and feeds on the fish's blood. Over time, the parasite essentially replaces the fish’s tongue, taking control of its ability to feed. This relationship clearly harms the fish, which suffers from the loss of its tongue while the parasite thrives.

Another example of parasitism is the relationship between the zombie fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) and its ant hosts. This fungus infects ants, taking control of their nervous systems and manipulating their behavior. The fungus forces the ant to climb vegetation, where it eventually clamps onto a leaf or twig with its mandibles, dying there  The fungus kills the ant and grows a stalk out of its head, releasing spores to infect other ants that come too close . The fungus benefits by using the ant’s body to reproduce and spread, while the ant, of course, meets a gruesome end.

Venom: A Fictional Twist on Real Relationships

In the end, while the exact relationship between Venom and Eddie may not exist in reality, it draws inspiration from nature’s diverse and complex symbiotic interactions, adding layers of drama and depth to the Marvel universe. Be it mutually beneficial or parasitic, symbiosis remains a key mechanism in the survival and evolution of life on Earth, from the smallest bacteria to the most powerful superheroes.

References:

1. Mutualism: Eight examples of species that work together to get ahead (no date) Natural History Museum. Available at: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mutualism-examples-of-species-that-work-together.html (Accessed: 05 February 2025).

2. Symbiosis: The art of living together (no date) Education. Available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/symbiosis-art-living-together/ (Accessed: 05 February 2025).

3. Symbiote (comics) (2025) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiote_(comics) (Accessed: 05 February 2025).

4. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis (2025) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_unilateralis (Accessed: 05 February 2025).

Image Credit:

1. https://thelawlass.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/venomposte2.jpg