Mutualistic Relationships – The 10 Examples Of Mutualism

Mutualistic Relationships – The 10 Examples Of Mutualism

10 EXAMPLES OF MUTUALISM – In this topic, we will now discuss the definition of a mutualistic relationship and the 10 examples of mutualism.

Let us begin by knowing the definition of a mutualistic relationship.

10 Examples Of Mutualism

Mutualistic Relationship

Mutualism or a mutualistic relationship is a relationship in biology or sociology in which two living things can mutually benefit to that kind of relationship. It can possibly within two species between two different kinds of species. These participants of mutualism is called a symbiont.

Examples of a Mutualistic Relationship

1. Digestive bacteria and humans

Inside our bodies is what we call good bacteria, which aids in digesting the food we take. There are foods that are not entirely digested, so the bacteria feeds on what’s left of the food.

2. Sea anemones and Clownfish

A clownfish are usually found living on the tentacles of a sea anemone, which stings almost all other fishes. The clownfish has a mucus on the skin, which protects itself from the sting and protects the anemones from the butterfly fish. At the same time, the anemone serves as a safe place for the clown fish.

3. Oxpeckers and Zebras or Rhinos

The oxpecker avian lives on the zebra or rhino and eats all the bugs and parasites residing on either of the two. At the same time, whenever there is danger to the zebra or rhino, the bird flies high to alert other animals to a predator.

4. Flowers and Bees

The bees get nectar from the flowers in order to make honey and gives pollen to the flowers, which then pollinates in order to make another plant. The bees now have a supply of food, while the flowers can now reproduce.

5. Spider crab and Algae

Spider crabs spend their time in few of the most shallow areas of the sea. The algae on their backs serves as the camouflage to hide the crabs from the predators.

6. Ants and Fungus

Ants make fungus from the leaves and their feces. When the fungus grows, the ant eats them in order to live.

7. Humans and Plants

Plants give off oxygen, which is important for humans to breathe while humans give of carbon dioxide and collected by plants in order to make oxygen.

8. Protozoa and Termites.

The protozoa serves as the termites’ digestive bacteria which aids them to digest food that they eat.

9. Yucca moth and Yucca plant

The moth aids in pollinating the plant. The plant, in return, serves as nest for the moth’s eggs.

10. Nitrogen–fixing Bacteria and Legumes

These bacteria live in the legumes’ root hairs where they transform nitrogen to ammonia, which is needed for the plant for growth and development.

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1 thought on “Mutualistic Relationships – The 10 Examples Of Mutualism”

  1. mutualistic relationships are ones where both organisms benefit, but with examples like the spider crab and algae, you only give proof of the spider crab benefiting, meaning that it is either comensolism, parasitism, or you didn’t add any proof. not trying to hate, just trying to help you improve.

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