Mutualisms and beneficial interactions Flashcards
What is a commensalism?
Individuals of one species benefit, whereas the other species do not benefit but are not harmed.
What is a mutualism?
An interaction where both species benefit.
What is an example of a mutualist interaction?
Cleaner fish “clean” the surface of host fish. The host fish has less parasites and the cleaner fish obtains resources.
What is an example of commensalism?
Amenome’s tentacles product poison to kill or paralyze small fish, but clownfish can still live among them. The fish obtains protection but the anemone does not benefit.
What is symbiosis?
A relationship in which the two species live in close physiological contact with each other.
What sub-categories are there of symbiosis?
Parasitism, commensalism and mutalism.
What is an example of a mutualism that involves humans?
Humans and bacteria - most of the bacteria involved with humans is commensalists or mutalists.
What are some of the benefits of mutalistic interactions?
Nutrients, protection/defence, reproduction and dispersal.
What is an example of a nutrition mutualism?
Rhizobium - nitrogen fixing bacteria in legumes
How do fungus farming ants display a mutualistic relationship?
Ants collect leaves they don’t eat for the fungus. The fungus can digest cellulose. Ants also eat the fungus.
What is an example of protection mutualism?
Ants and acacias - acacias lack protection and the ants cover them to provide protection.
What is an example of reproduction mutualisms?
Pollinators - plants get their ovules fertilized and animals get pollen or nectar as food.
What are dispersal mutualisms?
The idea that large animals such as elephants may eat seeds and then excrete them and deposit them in different locations - with the omphalocarpum procera tree.
What might determine whether an interaction is parasitism or mutualism?
It depends on the environment. A mutualist might withdraw the reward it usually provides according with the environment. If the organism is in a high nutrient environment, it may be more costly to support the other species in comparison to the benefits it may provide.
How large is the impact of mutualistic associations?
Very large - reforestation may depend on animal dispersers.
