Question

The differences between the tropical Termites-Fungi relationships with leaf cutter ants-fungus relationships as both display mutual relationships (5%).

Answer 1

Ants fungus relationship — Ants provide appropriate conditions and plant materials for fungus to grow. In return the ants eat the fungus.


Termites fungi relationship — The termites chew up wood and puts it in the nests. They then put fungi to grow on the chewed up wooden to digest the cellulose on the wood. This provides fungi with appropriate living conditions as well as food. The fungi digests the cellulose and lignin in wood and gives Nitrogen and sugars as the by - products. The termites in turn feed on the sugar.

The two relationships are mutual in that each party benefits.

The difference is that in ants fungus relationship, the ant eats the fungus whereas in termite fungi relationship, the termite eats what the fungus give as by - product.

Answer 2

Termite fungi relationship:

The entomologists focusing on these fascinating social insects have long considered the symbiotic relationship between the Macrotermitinae and the fungus Termitomyces was one of interaction specificity, in that one species of termite associated with a single species of fungus.

Ants fungi relationship:

A good example of a symbiotic relationship (Mutualism) is that between leaf cutting ants and fungus within their fungus gardens. The ants cultivate the fungus by cutting leaves and carrying these leaf fragments to the fungus garden. The fungus then grows on the plant material. The ants also weed out any other types of fungus and provide the right conditions for the fungus to grow. The ants themselves only feed on fungus and do not eat the leaves. So, by providing appropriate conditions and plant material the fungus benefits from the action of the ants. The ants then benefit by eating the fungus.