Interspecific Relationships - Positive Interactions > Mutualism (Symbiosis)

Mutualism is an interaction between two species in which both are benefited.

• Mutualism is an interaction where both species benefit from each other, represented as (+, +).
• Lichens are a mutualistic association between fungi and algae/cyanobacteria, where fungi provide shelter and algae provide food through photosynthesis.
• Mycorrhizae are associations between fungi and plant roots, where fungi help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil, and the plant provides carbohydrates to the fungi.
• Fig trees and wasps share a one-to-one relationship where the wasp pollinates the fig, and the fig provides developing seeds as food for the wasp larvae.
• The orchid Ophrys* uses "sexual deceit" by resembling a female bee, causing male bees to pseudocopulate with it and transfer pollen from flower to flower.