They have a mutual relationship. At the base of the thorns of the acacia tree there are hollow lumps which the ants can turn into a hive. When animals, such as giraffes, start to eat the soft acacia leaves it vibrates the stems and the ants come out and attack the intruder annoying the giraffe so much that it stops eating at the acacia and moves on to find a less irritable meal. The tree then repays the ants by giving off a sweet nectar that the ants use to feed to there larvae. The ants also patrol down and around the base of the acacia and not eat but chew and destroy any other alien saplings growing in the vicinity of the acacia (not using a single bit of the destroyed plant). It is almost as if the ants know they are helping the acacia dominate and get as much water as possible.
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There are birds called antbirds that have a symbiotic relationship with army ants. The ants flush out insects as they move, providing food for the antbirds. In return, the antbirds help keep the ants safe from predators by warning them of danger.
Some examples of symbiosis in a tropical dry forest include mutualism between acacia trees and ants, where the trees provide shelter and food in the form of nectar, while the ants protect the trees from herbivores. Another example is commensalism between bromeliads and tree branches, where the bromeliads benefit from being elevated and receiving more sunlight, while the trees are unaffected. Additionally, parasitism can be seen in the relationship between mistletoe plants and their host trees, where the mistletoe extracts nutrients from the host tree, harming it in the process.
The ant and the acacia tree have a mutualistic relationship. The ant depends on the sugar provided by the tree's nectar. In turn, the tree is protected by these ants from insect pests that could harm it.
The ants defend the plant from predators - and the plant produces sugars to feed the ants.
Parasitism
Mutualism
Parasitism
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In the mutualistic relationship between thorn acacia trees and acacia ants, the acacia tree provides shelter and food (nectar and protein-rich Beltian bodies) to the ants, while the ants protect the tree from herbivores and competing plants. However, if the relationship becomes imbalanced, the acacia tree can be harmed if the ants become overly aggressive, attacking beneficial insects or even larger organisms that do not threaten the tree. Additionally, if the tree's growth is stunted or compromised, it may not produce enough resources for the ants, leading to a decline in both populations.
"partnership" or "mutually beneficial" ie. Ants and peonies have a symbiosis or symbiotic relationship. (Peonies will not bloom unless they have ants on them.)
There are birds called antbirds that have a symbiotic relationship with army ants. The ants flush out insects as they move, providing food for the antbirds. In return, the antbirds help keep the ants safe from predators by warning them of danger.
Some examples of symbiosis in a tropical dry forest include mutualism between acacia trees and ants, where the trees provide shelter and food in the form of nectar, while the ants protect the trees from herbivores. Another example is commensalism between bromeliads and tree branches, where the bromeliads benefit from being elevated and receiving more sunlight, while the trees are unaffected. Additionally, parasitism can be seen in the relationship between mistletoe plants and their host trees, where the mistletoe extracts nutrients from the host tree, harming it in the process.
The ants live inside inflated thorns at the base of leaves of some species of Acacia trees.
acacia ants
The ant and the acacia tree have a mutualistic relationship. The ant depends on the sugar provided by the tree's nectar. In turn, the tree is protected by these ants from insect pests that could harm it.
If the ants were removed from the acacia tree the trees would be stripped of their leaves by elephants. The ants serve as a defense mechanism for the trees.