Concept, Relationship with symbiosis and Examples

We explain to you what mutualism is and its relation to symbiosis.Besides, that is commensalism, predation and parasitism.

Mutualism is important for the increase of biodiversity.

What is mutualism?

Mutualism is a type of relationship between species or interspecific relationship, in which the two individuals involved obtain a mutual benefit , that is, they both benefit from their association.The type of link does not cause harm to anyone.

Mutual relations are very important in the ecological dynamics of the environment, especially in increasing biodiversity and taking advantage of maximum of the available natural resources, as well as in the paths that evolution takes.

This type of associations between species can be understood as a kind of barter or biological exchange , in the that each species gives and earns something.Depending on what is given and earned, they can be classified as follows:

• Resource-resource relationships. In them the two species exchange some kind of biological substance or resource that is indispensable for both, so that their relationship provides a material gain to each.


• Service-natural resource relations. In them there is an exchange of some resource produced, as in the previous case, in exchange for any action or conduct that is beneficial.


• Service-to-service relationships. It is the least frequent type of relationship, in which what is exchanged for the species is some kind of behavior or action, so that both benefit.

See also: Endemic species.

Mutualism and symbiosis

Lichens are intimate associations between fungi and algae.

Symbiosis is a type of mutualism , in which there is a very close degree of association between the two species., which lead a joint life and are often indiscernible from one another.Obviously, this cooperation has significant benefits for both species, hereinafter known as symbiotes.

The traditional example of symbiosis is lichen, intimate associations of a fungus and algae , in which vital space is shared and moisture and structure (of the fungus) are exchanged for carbohydrates of photosynthesis (of algae).

Commensalism

Anemones protect clownfish from their predators.

Commensalism relationships (from Latin cum mess, that is, "sharing the table") are beneficial to any of the individuals involved in it (and what happens to be called a diner), without the benefit derived from any kind of damage or benefit to the other individual.

An example of this is the use of stinging anemones or fire corals by clownfish , thus obtaining protection from their predators without causing discomfort to anyone.

Depredation

An example of predation can be a lion hunting a gazelle to feed.

In the case of predation, one species causes damage (ie: death) to another , to thus being able to feed on it, consuming the organic matter that composes its body.Yes, the consumer is called the predator and the consumed prey.

An example of this occurs between the African lions and the gazelles they usually feed on , which must flee to preserve their life and not be eaten by this fierce predator.

Parasitism

Female mosquitoes must bite other animals to feed.

In this type of relationship an individual feeds on the body of the other or uses it to perpetuate its biological cycle , causing damage in the process.This damage can be lethal, but it is not usually massive and direct, but slow and progressive, so the parasite can cohabit in the body of the parasite for some time.

This is the case of mosquitoes and other hematophagous insects , whose females must "bite" other animals (usually warm-blooded) to feed and fertilize the eggs that will continue the species.

Examples of mutualism

Some examples of mutualism are:

• Bees and flowers. This symbiotic relationship dates back millennia and is very important for preserving plant life in the world.Bees, attracted by the sweetness of flowers, free the nectar inside and without knowing it impregnate the pollen of the plant, taking it to another plant and thus promoting the genetic exchange between plants.


• Bacterial flora and humans. In our intestines there is a bacterial flora, that is, a set of bacterial species that instead of infecting and hurting us, help us break down food and perform the digestion, also benefiting from the process.


• Birds and cattle. Cows, oxen, even wild species such as rhinos are often seen with birds standing on their backs, pecking at them without harming them.This is because the birds are They feed on the ticks and lice that these animals possess, eliminating that discomfort in return.


• Ants and aphids. Ants, so territorial, don't usually hurt a certain type of aphids, but protect them.This is because, in turn, aphids share a nectar with them Dulzon they extract from the wise sucking of the plants.


• Mycorrhizae. The union of tree roots and certain types of fungi is known by that name, consisting of an exchange of moisture (from the fungus) for nutrients (from the plant) , which is in mutual benefit.