Mutualism

Mutualism is the way two organisms of different species biologically interact in a relationship in which each individual derives a fitness benefit. (Wikipedia)

Example of mutualism ,Hummingbird and flower .

The hummingbird take aliment and nutrients of the flower and the flower assure its reproduction.(Pollen travel to another flower by the hummingbird)

There are three different types of mutualism:

Resource-Resource relationship

Example:A plant and a fungi

The plant gives carbohydrates to the fungi. This one gives to the plant phosphate and nitrogenous compounds.

Service-Resource relationship:

Example: A flower and a bee.

The flower gives food to he bee and the bee helps in the reproduction of the flower. ( The same function as the hummingbird)

Service-service relationhip:

Example: sea anemones and clownfish

The sea anemone protect clownfish from the predators ( The anemone has poison tentacles) and the clownfish protect anemones from fishes that eat anemones.

 

(Information from wikipedia)