Mutualism can be defined as the interaction between two living organisms or species wherein they both benefit from each other. There are many instances where the species involved in mutualism live closely with each other; such condition is known as symbiosis. There are different types of mutualism and these include the following:
Obligate mutualism, the type of mutualism between two different species wherein both are interdependent with one another and one cannot survive without the presence of the other.
An example of this type of mutualism is the interaction between an alga forming lichen and a fungus, wherein the fungus is the one providing the alga with minerals and water while the alga produces food for itself as well as for the fungus through the process of photosynthesis.
In some instances wherein both the alga and the fungus are cultured separately under laboratory conditions, both organisms cannot survive without their symbiotic partner.
Diffuse mutualism is the type of mutualism wherein the living organism is capable of interacting with more than one partner. This is true in the case of various animal species which pollinate multiple plant species. Examples of this are the following:
· The honeybee which is known to pollinate various flowers both wild and cultivated species;
· The floral visitors received by the white mangrove, approximately 65 various species of insects.
Diffuse mutualism of various plant and animal species which interact among themselves are common in plant and animal communities; it also results in networks of pollination which comprise these various interacting species.
Facultative mutualism is the type of mutualism in which the species are not interdependent with each other that one cannot survive without the other. An example of this type of mutualism is the interaction between birds and plants:
· As the birds feed on plants, the seeds of the fruits are being carried by the birds to places that are distant from the plant; however, the interaction does not limit both organisms in such a way that one species will not survive without the presence or the aid of the other.
Trophic mutualism is the type wherein both living interacting organisms receive benefits from each other. This type of ecological mutualism involves the transfer of nutrients and energies between the two interacting species. Examples of this type of mutualism are the following:
Rhizobium bacteria and legumes;
Corals and zooxanthellae
Defensive mutualism is the type in which there is an exchange of benefits between the two interacting organisms, specifically, one species will provide food and shelter for the other species in exchange for protection from parasites or predators. Examples of this type include:
The relationship between the Pseudomyrmex ants and acacia shrubs;
The wood ants and the aphids
Dispersive mutualism is the interaction between two living organisms which involves the transfer of pollens or seeds in exchange for food. The animals involved in pollinations are species of insects, birds and some mammals.
The process of pollination takes place once the animals get attracted to the flowering plants and feed on the high energy nectars which these flowers secrete.
The animals then become covered with pollens as they gather the nectar; the pollens are then transferred from the flower to another place as the carrier moves from one location to another.
The seed dispersers, on the other hand, feed on fruits and in the process, carry the enclosed seeds which they eliminate through defecation.
According to Caroline Christian, of the Center for Population Biology:
Seed-dispersal mutualisms have a fundamental role in regenerating natural communities. Interest in the importance of seed dispersal to plant communities has been heightened by worldwide declines in animal dispersers. One view, the 'keystone mutualist hypothesis', predicts that these human-caused losses will trigger a cascade of linked extinctions throughout the community. Implicitly, this view holds that mutualisms, such as seed dispersal, are crucial ecological interactions that maintain the structure and diversity of natural communities. Although many studies suggest the importance of mutualism, empirical evidence for community-level impacts of mutualists has remained anecdotal, and the central role of mutualism, relative to other species interactions, has long been debated in the theoretical literature. Here I report the community-level consequences of a biological invasion that disrupts important seed-dispersal mutualisms. I show that invasion of South African shrublands by the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) leads to a shift in composition of the plant community, owing to a disproportionate reduction in the densities of large-seeded plants. This study suggests that the preservation of mutualistic interactions may be essential for maintaining natural communities. (Christian, 2001).
The following are examples of mutualism among wild animals:
The interaction between the clown fish and the sea anemone; each species provides and protects each other. The clownfish eats the leftover meals of the sea anemone as well as cleans up the area around the host.
It also allows the water to keep flowing in and out of the host’s body by swimming around it. In return, the host provides shelter for the fish and keeps it away from harm through its poisonous sting.
The interaction between the polyp and the hermit crab. Hermit crabs move from one discarded shell to another depending on their growth and needs. The polyps on the other hand feed on their host’s leftovers and benefit through being transported from one place to another.
There are rare cases wherein the polyp replaces the shell which the crab uses for shelter, and as the crab grows, the polyp grows along with it, providing shelter and camouflage to its host.
The mutualism between the badger and the coyote. Both badger and coyote are fond of preying on underground rodents. The digging abilities of the badger prove to be of great benefit to the two species in capturing their prey and biologists believe that the relationship between the two predators prove to be more effective and efficient than when either of them are to hunt alone.
The mutual relationship between the ostrich and the zebra. Ostriches happen to have keen eyesight, yet their senses of hearing and of smelling are rather poor. On the contrary, zebras’ eyesight is awfully poor, yet they have a keen sense of hearing. Both animals graze on the same spot, allowing both mutual beneficial protections in times of danger.
The interaction between the remora and the shark. Remoras lack swimming bladder, which prevent them from traveling long distances; in order to move from one place to another, they attach themselves to sharks or other big sea creatures, such as whales and sea turtles through the suction cup found on top of their heads.
The act, however, does not pose any harm to the host; moreover, scientists also believe that the remora actually feeds on parasites found on shark’s scales and gills, which provides benefit to the host.
Although man may regard the animal kingdom as the inferior and primitive species among God’s creation, it cannot be denied that the members of the animal kingdom possess qualities that are remarkable and sometimes unbelievable.
Humans may appear to be the more intelligent and the more superior beings that we were chosen by God to rule over all the other creations but we should also bear in mind that the lower and less superior creatures have something to teach us.
Animals can impart important lessons and values which we can apply in our daily lives such as:
Cooperation
Tolerance
Adaptability
Flexibility
Discipline
Loyalty
It may sound astonishing to hear and maybe hard to accept that a creature as intelligent as man needs to take lessons from a living being as simple as the ant, but incredible as it may sound, this truth cannot be denied.
Our intelligence sometimes blind us, preventing us to see our mistakes and our weaknesses. But whenever this happens, all we have to do is turn to nature and we will surely learn everything that has to do with survival.
Bibliography
20 Amazing examples of co-dependence in wild animals. In: Theology Degrees Online http://theologydegreesonline.com/20-amazing-examples-of-co-dependence-in-wild-animals/ Retrieved on May 11, 2011.
Christian, C. E. (2001). Consequences of a biological invasion reveal the importance of mutualism for plant communities. Letters to Nature. International Weekly Journal of Science. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v413/n6856/abs/413635a0.html
Klein, A. M. & Vaissière, B. E. (2007). Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Biological Sciences 274, 303-313
Landry, C. (2010) Mighty mutualisms: The nature of plant-pollinator interactions. Nature Education Knowledge 1(8):48
Landry, C. L., Rathcke, B. J. et al. Flower visitors to white mangrove: a comparison between three Bahamian islands and Florida. In The Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of the Bahamas. eds. Buckner, S. & McGrath, T. (San Salvador Island: Gerace Research Center, 2005) 84-94.
McGinley, M. (Lead Author);Sylvio G. Codella, Patricia Gowaty (Topic Editor) Mutualism. In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 3, 2010; Last revised Date January 25, 2011; Retrieved May 11, 2011 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Mutualism?topic=58074>
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