Mutualism... What is it?

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Picture from: http://www.necsi.edu/projects/evolution/co-evolution/mutualistic/co-evolution_mutualistic.html

Mutualism: An interspecific cooperation/symbiotic relationship that is beneficial to both organisms involved. Both species of organisms will benefit from association of one another and will not be harmed. Also known as a “biological barter”
Mutualism plays a key part in ecology. It is vital for ecosystems to survive on Earth. 48% of plants require relationships with fungi to provide them with inorganic compounds.

Mutualism Relationships
Picture from: https://sciencestruck.com/mutualism-relationships

There are two types of these mutualistic relationships.

1.       Service-resource relationships are common. They are important for pollination, and cleaning.
a.       In pollination, the animals use nectar or pollen from the plant and disperse it in other areas to allow for more of the same species of plant to grow.

2.       Service-service relationships are very rare.
a.       An example of this is the sea anemone and the anemone fish which provide the fish with protection form predators, due to the fact that other animals cannot stand the sting from the sea anemone, but the fish take care of the sea anemone.

Why is it important? It is crucial for reproduction of many plants and animals, and it provides to the nutrient cycles in all ecosystems. It is very important to clarify the relationships of mutualism from the rest of the symbiotic relationships – often because this relationship can be confused with another symbiotic relationship.


Picture from: https://thefisheriesblog.com/2012/12/03/coral-calls-for-help-and-fish-respond/



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