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The mutualism it is a form of interaction between organisms of different species. It is characterized because, thanks to this relationship, both organisms involved benefit, increasing their biological aptitude (capacity for survival and reproduction as a species).
It is important to distinguish mutualism from the other forms of interaction between organisms:
- Parasitism: When one organism feeds on another, harming it but not killing it.
- Commensalism: It occurs when one species benefits from the relationship, while the other is neither benefited nor harmed.
- Competition: It occurs when two different species depend on the same resources. For example, if two types of scavengers eat the same animals, they must compete for access to food. There is a competitive relationship when the presence of one species has a negative effect on another and vice versa.
- Predation: Occurs when one species feeds on another.
- Cooperation: Both species benefit but can also live separately.
Unlike the other forms of interaction, mutualism is an essential factor for the survival and development of both species involved.
Some authors use symbiosis as a synonym for mutualism while others consider mutualism as a symbiosis only in cases where the relationship is indispensable for survival.
The types of mutualism can be:
- Resource - Resource: The two species involved in the relationship obtain the same type of resource. For example, they both get food that they could not get on their own.
- Service - Resource: One of the species benefits from a resource and offers a service.
- Service - Service: Both species benefit from a service offered by the other.
It can serve you:
- Examples of Symbiosis
- Examples of Food Chains
- Examples of Coevolution
Examples of mutualism
Mycorrhiza and Plants
They are the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of land plants. The fungus receives carbohydrates and vitamins that it cannot synthesize on its own.
The plant receives mineral nutrients and water. Mycorrhiza is so important for plant survival that it is estimated to be present in between 90 and 95% of terrestrial species. This is a resource-resource relationship, since both plants and fungi receive nutrients.
Pollination
It is the specific relationship between an animal and an angiosperm plant. Angiosperm plants are those that have flowers with stamens (male reproductive organs) and carpels (female reproductive organs). The flowers that have stamens are those that have pollen, which must reach the carpels of other flowers to achieve the reproduction of the plant.
Certain animals function as pollinators, that is, as transporters of pollen from one flower to the other. Pollinators can be bees, wasps, ants, flies, butterflies, beetles, and birds. Some mammals can be pollinators, such as bats, some marsupials, rodents, and monkeys. This is a service-resource relationship, since animals offer the service of pollination while plants offer the resource of nectar or pollen.
Ruminants and Microorganisms
In the intestines of ruminants (animals that digest in two stages) there are communities of microorganisms that allow them to digest the cellulose in their food. The microorganisms in turn benefit from the food obtained.
Anemone and clown fish
The sea anemone is flower-like in shape, radially symmetrical. It produces a toxic substance called actinoporins, which has a paralyzing effect. Clownfish (amphiprioninae) have red, pink, black, yellow, orange, or white stripes.
Different species of clownfish are associated with different species of anemones. These fish are immune to actinoporins, which allow them to move between the anemone's tentacles, where they find shelter, food, and protection from larger fish. The anemone benefits because the fish eliminates parasites and other organisms that harm it. This is a service - service relationship.
Acacia and ant
The acacia cornígera or bull's horn is a shrub that can reach up to 10 meters in height. Its name is due to the fact that it has large hollowed spines that look like bull's horns. The ants live in the logs, feeding on the sugars that the plant produces.
The plant benefits from the protection of ants from herbivorous animals that can eat its shoots, limiting its growth and survival. In addition, the ants eat other plants that are found around the acacia, eliminating possible relations of competition for resources such as water, sun and nutrients.
Ants and aphids
Aphids (aphididae) are insects that are not related or related to fleas. Aphids are parasites of angiosperm plants. In them they make small holes in the leaves, from where they suck the sap.
The ants approach the aphids and rub them with their antennae. The aphid then secretes honeydew, a substance that serves the ants as food. Aphids benefit from the presence of ants, which protect them against other species.
Fish and prawns
Prawns kill parasites found on the skin of some fish. Both species obtain the same benefits as in the relationships between hippos and birds and buffaloes and egrets.
Lichens and algae
They are fungi that have a thin layer of algae cells on their surface. 25% of fungal species use this association. The advantage that the fungus obtains is the carbon fixed by the algae thanks to the photosynthesis they carry out. Algae benefit because they can adapt to extreme habitats.
The toad and the spider
The tarantula is a large species of spider. It allows the narrow-mouthed toad to remain in its burrow by protecting it from parasites and taking care of its eggs. The toad benefits from the protection of the tarantula.
Herons and buffalo
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a pelecaniform bird. In Africa, these birds follow zebras, antelopes, wildebeest, and kaffir buffalo. The best known form of mutualism is the one established with buffaloes, from whom they remove the parasites, on which they feed. This is a service - resource relationship.
Fish and shrimp
Luther's goby is a fish with excellent eyesight that lacks arms. The blind prawn digs a cave or tunnel on the surface of the seabed that allows both to protect themselves. The prawn benefits because it accompanies the fish when it goes out to look for food, with its antennae on the body of the fish, who shows it the way and alerts it to predators.
Hippos and birds
Similar to buffalo, some birds feed on parasites found on hippos' skin. The hippo benefits from the elimination of organisms that harm it while the bird not only feeds but also receives the protection of the hippopotamus.
Can serve you
- Examples of Symbiosis
- Examples of Commensalism
- Examples of Food Chains
- Examples of Parasitism
- Examples of Coevolution
