What is mutualism?
A positive interaction between two species providing something to the other species that is unique to them.
What is the difference between a parasitic and mutualistic relationship?
Parasitic relationships involve one species taking while the other receives nothing in return. Mutualistic relationships involve both species getting something positive out of the interaction.
Compare and contrast obligate vs. facultative mutualists
Requiring vs. not requiring the other in order to persist..
Compare and contrast generalist vs. specialist mutualists
A species that interacts with many other species vs only being able to interact with one or a few closely related species
Ants and aphids have a mutualistic relationship. Does this relationship exchange resources, defense, pollination or seed dispersal? (You may choose more than one)
Resources (sugary sap for the ants) and defense (protection against predators for the aphids)
Does the presence of ants on acacia trees increase or decrease their rate of survival?
Increase
How can mutualist partners prevent other species from "cheating"?
By removing their contribution from the relationship (i.e., not exchanging resources, defense)
How might a change in environmental conditions cause a relationship to switch from mutualism to parasitism?
When conditions become strained or bountiful enough that one species no longer can or needs to exchange resources and yet resources continue to be given away.
Garlic mustard (introduced to the Americas) inhibits the growth of mycorrhizal fungi. Given that certain trees depend on a mutualistic relationship with fungi how would the composition of a forest change with the presence of garlic mustard?
There would be a lower diversity of trees in forests where garlic mustard was prohibiting the growth of mycorrhizal fungi.