Societies, mutualists, & parasites - part 1 Flashcards
define Mutualism
- Reciprocal adaptations in two or more species that benefit all species
- it is a +/+ interspecific ecological interaction
Key components of mutualistic (and parasitic) relationships
- Identifying partners
- Types of partners
- Strength of partnership
- Complexity of partnership
- The breakdown of mutualistic partnerships
If mutualism involves reciprocal adaptations in two or more species, how might we identify possible mutualisms?
Mutualisms need to be identified by showing the reciprocal value of species traits for fitness of all putative partners.
identifying mutualism partners: plants and ants
- Specific plant traits attract and reinforce relationship with nesting and foraging ants.
- example: The evolution of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs)
extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) experiment
- Experimental access to plants with functional and non-functional (control) EFNs
- Colonies all started with the same composition and had the same diet, including simple sugar solution
extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) experiment - result
colonies with access to EFNs, produced more queen biomass, more soldiers, and more eggs
types of mutualistic partners
- Societies with other societies
- Societies with solitary animals
- Societies with plants
- Societies with single-celled organisms.
types of mutualistic partners - societies with other societies example
ant-aphid tending
types of mutualistic partners - societies with solitary animals example
ant-bug farming
types of mutualistic partners - societies with plants example
ant-plant mutualisms
types of mutualistic partners - societies with single celled organisms example
trophic mutualisms with bacteria
societies with single celled organisms - bacteria mechanisms examples
- Bacteria can break down plant material
- Bacteria can recycle waste nitrogen
how can the strength of a mutualism can be measured as
- Extent to which mutualism is facultative vs. obligate for both partners.
- Quantitative magnitude of the benefits derived from the interaction by both partners.
Facultative mutualism example
- Feeding on plant nectar by ants is opportunistic.
- Ants do not nest on the plant.
- Plants only produce nectar at certain times of the year.
- Partners derive benefits but can survive and reproduce without the interaction.
Obligate mutualism example
Ants nest solely in living plant structures and derive most of their food from the plant, while the plant requires year round protection to reproduce.