He mutualism Is an association between two different species in which both benefit. These relationships can be symbiotic and non-symbiotic.
The relationship is symbiotic when the two involved organisms live very close. In addition, the relationship is mandatory for at least one of the two individuals, otherwise it would die.
The relationship is not symbiotic when individuals do not totally depend on each other; In this case, it is an opportunistic and facultative relationship.
List of 20 examples of mutualism
1- The bees and the flowers
The bees fly from flower to flower in search of nectar, which they transform into food, which benefits these insects.
On the other hand, whenever the bees are placed on a flower, particles of pollen adhere to their body; Such particles are transported to other flowers, resulting in plant pollination.
It is observed, then, that this is a relationship of mutualism in which the bee obtains food and the plant reproduces itself.
2- Birds and flowers
Like bees, some birds feed on the nectar of flowers, transporting pollen from one plant to another, which favors pollination .
3- Bacteria and humans
Humans are not able to digest all the food we eat.
However, in our intestine, there is a certain type of bacteria (which forms the intestinal microbiota) that feeds on everything that the human body is not able to process and digests it partially, facilitating the work of the intestine.
4- Picabueyes and rhinos
Picabueyes are birds that perch on rhinoceroses and eat ticks and other parasites that live on the skin of these mammals.
In this relationship, both benefit since the birds get food while the rhinos have a pest control service.
Similarly, when it is possible that the rhinoceros is in danger, the picabuey alerts the other animals with their singing.
5 - Protozoa and termites
As with bacteria and humans, protozoa help termites digest food.
6- Anemones and Clown Fish
The tentacles of the anemones have stinging stings on the fish; However, the mucus in the skin of the clown fish protects them from this sting.
Thanks to this, clown fish can live comfortably on anemones, protecting them from predators, such as butterflyfish.
7- The crab spider and the algae
Spider crabs spend much of their lives in areas where the water is shallow, which increases the possibility of being seen by predators.
However, on the back of these crabs, there is a certain type of algae that acts as a camouflage for the animal. In return, the plant gets a place to live.
8- Plants and humans
It is well known that plants and humans can not live without each other. This relationship of mutualism is based on the fact that humans breathe the oxygen produced by plants and expel carbon dioxide.
For their part, plants take carbon dioxide and use them to produce food and oxygen.
9- The cassava moth and the cassava plant
Cassava moth intervenes in the process of pollination of this plant. In return, the plant offers protection to moth eggs and feed the larvae once they are born.
10- Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae are associations between fungi and the roots of a plant. The plant provides food to the fungus, while the fungus increases the area of nutrient absorption of the plant.
11- Ants and acacias
Ants lay their eggs on the thorns of acacias. In exchange for the protection offered by the trees, the insects protect the acacias of the herbivores.
12- Lichens
Lichens are a case of symbiotic relationship, composed of a fungus and a seaweed. In this relationship, the fungus obtains food through the process of photosynthesis Made by the plant and, in return, protects the algae by providing moisture so that it can survive.
13- Picabueyes and antelopes
As with rhinoceroses, picabueyes perch on antelopes and feed on ticks on their fur.
14- The bumblebee and the black broom
The relation of mutualism between these two species is of pollination.
15- The tarántula and the toad boqui
The toad is fed on parasites that could affect the eggs of the tarantulas. In return, the tarantula allows you to live in your territory.
16- Prawns and fish
Prawns clean ectoparasites on the skin of fish. In this way, they prevent the fish from becoming infected with diseases and obtaining food.
17- Ants and fungi
Ants produce fungi from the leaves of plants and fecal material. Once these fungi grow, the ants partially feed on them.
18- Remoras and sharks
Remoras are small fish that can be seen close to sharks. These animals ingest the remaining debris after the shark has eaten. In this sense, the shark is kept clean and the hind limb is fed.
19- Cows and rumen bacteria
Like bacteria in the human intestine, the bacteria of the rumen inhabit the digestive tract of the cows; These bacteria help these mammals in the digestion of certain plants and, in exchange, obtain food.
20- Binding bacteria of nitrogen And plants
Some plants, such as alders, are able to live in areas poor in nitrogen thanks to certain bacteria that help fix this element.
References
- Mutualism Examples. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from examples.yourdictionary.com.
- Mutualistic Relationships. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from necsi.edu.
- Mutualism Examples. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from softschools.com.
- Mutualism. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from study.com.
- What are some examples of mutualism between organism? Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from quora.com.
- Mutualism. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from mcdaniel.edu.
- Mutualism. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from britannica.com.