Mutualism

In ecology and biology, the term mutualism is commonly used to characterize the symbiotic relationship that is created between two different species that interact with each other in the association. Mutualism is considered to be one of the most important symbiotic relationships that tend to occur in nature along with its other variations. Some of the other common examples of the ecological interaction amongst or between the species include parasitism, commensalism, predation, competition, and cooperation. In this article, we will discuss mutualism in detail.

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What is Mutualism?

As the term signifies, mutualism can be defined as the type of relationship created between 2 species where both of them are benefitted mutually. These types of relationships can exist amongst the same species or between the species belonging to different groups. The species that take part in the mutualism type of interaction are known as symbionts. 

A mutual kind of relationship can be seen amongst all living organisms such as animals, humans, plants, birds, and several other microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Mutualism can be considered as one of the aspects that are used to describe symbiosis. The main idea behind mutualism and the types of mutualism is the relationship that exists between the symbiont and the hosts. In this relationship, both organisms are able to benefit each other and no one will be harmed in the process. 

The relationship could exist for a short period of time or could go on for longer durations of time. The smaller partner in this type of relationship will be called the Mutualist while the hosts tend to form the other partners in the process of mutualism. For instance, the ants that feed and seek shelter in the acacia trees act as the mutualist while the acacia trees are the hosts. In this situation, the acacia trees tend to provide food and shelter to the ants. As a reverse action, the ants tend to guard the trees against other attacking insects. These ants also provide the trees with protection from animals that graze. This is one of the major mutualism examples that help in providing a lot of details on the subject. 

Symbiosis Examples Mutualism 

Ecologists tend to define the term symbiosis as a long-term, close relationship that is established between the organisms belonging to different species. Some of the old references tend to use symbiosis as a synonym for the process of mutualism. However, the definition of symbiosis is definitely a bit more ambiguous. This term includes the other relationship forms that take place in the entire ecosystem. Not all of the relationships that are included in the aspects of symbiosis are beneficial. Some of them tend to be harmful. For example, parasitism and mutualism might be related to symbiosis but there is a difference in both. While parasitism only provides benefits to the parasitic species that is feeding off the host body, mutualism tends to benefit both. 

Types of Mutualism

There are different types of mutualism. These are: 

• Obligate Mutualism

In this case, the relationship established between the 2 species will be codependent. Most of the non-symbiotic and symbiosis can be considered good examples of this mutualism. Example: A moth and Yucca plant. The moth provides pollination to the Yucca plant and the Yucca plant provides shelter for the month to lay its eggs. Students can learn more about this type of mutualism from the mutualism diagram. 

• Facultative Mutualism

In this type of mutualism, the partners are able to coexist in a relationship without actually depending on one another. However, they also create a particular diffuse relation that involves the mixture of other species. For example, honeybees tend to visit more than one plant to get their nectar, and then these plants are visited by other insects that give them pollinators. 

• Trophic Mutualism

One of the mutualism examples is trophic mutualism where the partners will have specializations in order to obtain nutrients and energy from each other. For instance, cows aren’t able to digest the cellulose in the plants. The bacteria that are present in the cows’ rumens can help in digesting the cellulose. In return, the bacteria are provided with a warm environment and food. 

• Defensive Mutualism

In the case of defensive mutualism, a partner will receive food as well as shelter from the other. In return for that, the other partner will be defended against predators, parasites, and herbivores. For example, the ants are provided with honeydew from the aphids. In return, the ants stand guard against all the potential attackers of the trees. 

• Dispersive Mutualism

In the case of dispersive mutualism, a partner will receive the food and in return, they will help the flowers in transferring their pollen properly. A very good example of such a case is the relation between plants and honeybees. The bees travel searching for nectar from one plant’s flower to another. The nectar helps in the production of honey. In exchange, the plants are able to achieve the benefit of pollination as the bees will spread the pollen from the plants. 

Examples of Mutualism

Some common examples of mutualism are the relationships between plants and humans. Human beings are provided with oxygen from plants and these plants receive carbon dioxide from humans. Another example of mutualism would be the rhinos and the oxpecker birds. These birds live on the rhinos and they help to remove parasites and bugs on the skin of the rhinos by eating them. Hence, the rhino offers food to the birds and the birds remove bugs from the skin. Hence, both parties have profited from the relationship. 

There are different types of ecological interactions that take place in the environment such as parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, and so much more. Mutualism is the mutual relationship that is established between two different species in the ecosystem. In this mutual relationship, both the species in the association will be benefited equally.