Explain mutualism with examples in context to animals.

Explanation

Mutualism : Interaction between two living organism, both are equally benefited, no one is harmed.
Examples:
Lichen:
It is an intimate mutualistic relationship between a fungus & photosynthesizing algae or cyanobacteria.
Mycorrhizae are associations between fungi & the roots of higher plants. The fungi help the plant in the absorption of essential nutrients from the soil while the plant provides the fungi with carbohydrates.
Mutualism between plant & animal through pollination and seed dispersion:
Examples:
1. Many fig trees & wasps. The fig species is pollinated only by its .partner. wasp species and no other species. The female wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg-laying sites in fruits. The fig offers the wasp some developing seeds, as food for the wasp larvae.
2. Orchids show diversity of floral patterns. They can attract the right pollinator insect (bees & bumblebees) to ensure pollination. Not all orchids offer rewards.
3. .Sexual deceit. of Ophrys (the Mediterrancan orchid). One petal of its flower resembles female bee in size, colour & markings. So male bee .pseudocopulates. with the flower. The bee is dusted with pollen from the flower. When the same bee .pseudocopulates. with another flower, it transfers pollen to it. If the female bee.s colour patterns change slightly during evolution, pollination success will be reduced unless the orchid flower co-evolves to maintain the resemblance of its petal to the female bee.