Protocooperation

Proto cooperation (from Greek protos = forefront, first and latin cooperatio = participation ) referred to in the ecology of the loosest form of symbiosis, ie a relationship between individuals of different species. In this case, both types benefit from the relationship with the partner. For both types, this "cooperation" but not mandatory, that is, they are also without Proto cooperation viable.

The term Proto cooperation is outside of microbiology for the phenomenon described rarely and irregularly used. Alternatively, is spoken of " alliance" in the same sense often, most such cases are but simply referred to as mutualism.

An agriculturally relevant example of a proto- cooperation is the relationship between bumblebees and red clover and field beans: bumblebees contribute significantly to the fertilization of these crops in (thus increasing their chances of reproduction ), also serves the pollen of their diet. However, both the animals and the plants can also survive on their own, as bumblebees have other food sources and the plants can be pollinated by other species.

Proto collaborations involving bird species include, for example, Oxpecker, crocodile guards, small ground finch (G. fuliginosa ) and other " cleaner Birds", which sometimes only very occasionally, Absammeln, parasites of vertebrates. Another example is e.g. described between a mole crickets - type and a nematode - pathogenic fungus, with the cricket spread the fungus, which also protects itself against nematode infection.