Protocol cooperation: definition and examples

Protocooperation can be defined as a mutualistic interaction between two organisms that derive a benefit from this relationship. These interrelationships can take place between organisms of different species or even different kingdoms of nature . In protocooperation, individuals do not have the obligation to establish ties, since they can survive without receiving the help of others. However, they are related because it is beneficial for both species . Thus, protocooperation is opposed to symbiotic relationships, where both individuals depend on the relationship to survive, that is, the absence of a relationship means the death of the other organism. Here we talk more aboutWhat is symbiosis in ecology with examples .

Examples of protocooperation are abundant in nature. One of the most representative cases is the relationship between the bacteria that develop in the soil and the vegetation that grows. In this relationship, neither bacteria nor plants need the help of the other organism, but they benefit from this relationship. Thus, plants obtain nutrients generated by bacteria and bacteria obtain materials to decompose. This example occurs in all fertile soils, showing that protocooperative relationships are possible in any environment.

Mutualism is another biological interaction that occurs between two species and can be divided into two main types:

• Symbiotic: the relationship is mandatory and guarantees the survival of one of the two species.
• Non-symbiotic: the relationship is not required, but is optionally established.

Protocooperation is framed within non-symbiotic mutualistic relationships , since organisms do not depend on the relationship for their survival, but establish it because it brings benefits to both. In the case that both individuals have a similar size, they can exchange food, nutrients or hormones, benefiting both.

As we have said, there are a large number of cases of this relationship in nature. Among the most common examples of protocol cooperation are:

Insects and flowers

A great diversity of insects such as butterflies , bees and bumblebees feed on the nectar of flowers. The body of these insects is impregnated with pollen when they approach the flowers to feed and when they fly, they transport the pollen to other flowers, favoring cross pollination. In this other AgroCorrn post we will talk about what pollinating insects are and their importance .

As we can see, although the relationship is beneficial for both, they do not depend on it for their survival, since the flowers can reproduce thanks to the action of other factors such as the wind and the insect can feed on other species.

Birds and mammals

There are birds, such as oxpeckers, that can perch on the body of large mammals (antelope, rhinoceros, giraffe, elephant or buffalo) and feed on unwanted parasites in these animals (such as fleas or ticks).

In this relationship, the bird is transported by the animal, while the mammal remains healthy by eliminating the parasites. Oxpeckers are also believed to emit alarm signals when the animal is in danger to come to its aid.

Protocooperation between fish

There are fish that are “cleaners” for other larger fish species. This type of relationship is common on reefs, where larger fish come to be “cleaned.”

One such case is that of pilot fish ( Naucrates ductor ), which feed on parasites and food scraps left by sharks. They can also clean the mouths of sharks, which never eat them because they know they get this benefit from them.

Ants and aphids

Aphids drill holes in trees to feed on their sage and ants, instead of eating them, stimulate them with their antennae to secrete honeydew. The ants protect the aphids from predators, so both species benefit, but the plant dies.

Mycorrhizae and plants

Mycorrhizae are associations between fungi and roots of vascular plants, where the plants gain access to nutrients that they cannot otherwise obtain and the fungus, instead, obtains carbon from the plant.

Sea anemone and hermit crab

This is another clear example of protocooperation, since the sea anemone is transported attached to the crab shell to areas with more food and the anemone protects and provides food for the crab.

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