Mutualism, or interspecific cooperation, is the way in which organisms of different species exist in a relationship where each benefits from the activity of the other.
Mutualism as the term was first introduced by Pierre Joseph Van Beneden in his 1876 book Animal Parasites and Messmates.
Mutualism isn’t synonymous with symbiosis, cooperation, or facilitation, even though ecological and evolutionary parallels do arise amongst those types of interaction. Symbiosis is defined as a very close relationship between species, where the life cycle of one is closely related to the other. Often, one species (the symbiont) isn’t free-residing however inhabits the body of some other species (the host). A mutualism also can be a symbiosis, and lots of symbioses also are mutualistic, however, not all symbioses are mutualisms and not all mutualisms are symbioses. Interactions among algae and fungi that comprise lichens and among termites and the protozoa that inhabit their digestive systems are examples of mutualistic symbioses. In contrast, plant-pollinator mutualisms aren’t symbiotic, as each associate species are free-residing.
Other symbioses are parasitic as opposed to mutualistic, including, for instance, interactions among human beings and protozoa that motive malaria. Oxpecker birds have a mutualistic courting with buffalo. The birds consume ticks and their larvae from the pores and skin of the buffalo. The buffalo is getting wiped clean and the birds are getting food, each species are benefiting.
Another example of mutualism is the interaction between zebras and bacteria. Zebras rely on certain bacteria in their gut: the zebras benefit from the enzyme called cellulase that the bacteria produce, which helps them to break down their food. In turn, the bacteria benefit by having a stable supply of nutrients by living in the host’s intestine.
Similar interactions within a species are known as cooperation mutualism can be contrasted with interspecific competition in which each species experiences reduced aptitude and exploitation or parasitism from which one species benefits to the detriment of the other symbiosis involving two species living in close proximity and may be mutualistic parasitic or commensalism.
Mutualism performs a key element in ecology for instance mutualistic interactions are important for terrestrial ecosystem functioning as greater than 48% of land vegetation rely upon mycorrhizal relationships with fungi to offer them inorganic compounds and hint elements. In addition, mutualism is notion to have pushed the evolution of tons of the organic variety we see along with flower forms, and coevolution among groups of species but mutualism has historically obtained much less interest than different interactions along with predation and parasitism. Measuring the precise Fitness advantage in a mutualistic relationship isn’t always straightforward particularly when the individuals can obtain benefits from a variety of species.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.