Mutualism: 12 examples
Mutualism is a type of interaction between two individuals of different species that benefits both. It is part of interrelated ecology, in which examples of interdependence and synergy. Below are 12 examples of mutualism.
1. The ant and the anthill:
Ants develop anthills or habitats in which they stay. These anthills protect them from predators, as well as disasters. In exchange for this protection, the ant traps food, brings fruits, seeds, fungi and insects to the anthill, in addition to building its underground galleries.
2. The Whale and the Windbeard Predator:
Whales have parasites called wind baleen predators. These parasites feed on the whale's food scraps. For their part, the predators cleaned the whale's skin of parasites and harmful organisms. This maintains the health of the whale.
3. The parrot and the malabar parrot:
Parrots are folivorous feeding animals, that is, they feed on fruits, they need water and specific foods. For its part, the Malabar parrot removes some herbs and fermented drinks for the parrot by truncating the tree. Due to this behavior, the parrot benefits from the help of the malabar parrot to get its food.
4. The sea lion and the pilot fish:
The sea lions are building a habitat to feed. To do this, they see the help of a pilot fish that guides them to the ocean where the animals they want to feed are. The sea lion, in turn, offers protection to the pilot fish.
5. Bees and plants:
Bees have the ability to produce honey by collecting nectar from flowers. The flower receives pollination from the bee and this, in turn, allows it to continue its reproduction process. This benefits the bee as it gets the food it needs from the plants.
6. Pigeons and other birds:
Pigeons help other birds find food. These other birds reward them by bringing food for the pigeon chicks. This relationship between the birds is strengthened as one helps the other to find food.
7. Ticks and ticks:
Ticks as parasites feed on the blood fluid of tocotes, small animals in South America. In turn, the ticks take advantage of the way in which the tick attaches itself to their body, since it keeps them clean of parasites that in turn feed on their blood. This allows them to live cleaner and stay protected.
8. Crabs and coconut trees:
Coconut crabs play an important role in the agriculture of coconut trees. These crabs eat the insects that would normally damage the trees, as well as the droppings and dead grass around them. This keeps the coconut trees healthy and safe from diseased insects.
9. Plants and fungi:
Fungi and plants work together to form symbioses as a mutualistic relationship. The fungus helps the plant obtain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This helps the plant grow better and provides it with many nutrients that it would not otherwise be able to obtain.
10. The bear and the American brown bear:
The American brown bear roams the woods looking for food. These creatures have outstanding agility in locating and digging mosses, roots, and tubers. As a benefit, the bear takes advantage of the excavations carried out to find its food.
11. Humans and trees:
Humans depend on trees for food, firewood, and lumber. In return, the trees also benefit from humans. Humans provide them with water, fertilizer and compost, as well as fill and cut the brush that accumulates around the trees.
12. Bears and beavers:
Bears take advantage of beavers to get food. Beavers work hard to build their habitat and fence off rivers and small lakes. When the bear enters, it eats the small fish and crustaceans that the beavers store, which serve as food for the bear as well as a habitat for the fish.
These examples demonstrate that mutualism is an important part of ecology, in which a relationship between two individuals of different species is beneficial for both.
The interaction of these organisms allows the ecosystem to remain balanced and stable.