|
Symbioses and associations at Yellowstone
|
|
Stable associations between different species, symbioses, are important to the survival and evolution of microbes. These symbioses are termed neutral when neither partner is harmed or helped by the relationship, mutualistic when both partners benefit, or parasitic, when one partner benefits and the other does not. As an example, all large mammals that eat grass are dependent on microbial communities within their guts to break down the plant material and to make the nutrients in the food available. This picture was taken by D. J. Patterson. Image copyright: Globe Pequot Press, used under license to MBL (micro*scope).
|
|
|
