Leaf cutter and cultivate fungus the ants keep conditions optimal for fungus growth and carry leaf fragments for the fungus to grow on then the ants feed on pieces of the fungus which kind of relationship exists between the fungus and the ants

Answer 1

The relationship between leafcutter ants and the fungus they cultivate is a mutualistic symbiosis. In this type of relationship, both parties benefit:

1. Leafcutter ants: They gather leaves and other plant materials to provide the fungus with a substrate on which it can grow. In return, the ants feed on the fungus, which serves as a primary food source for them.

2. Fungus: The fungus benefits from the care and maintenance provided by the ants, including optimal growth conditions such as moisture and temperature regulation. The ants also help protect the fungus from pests and pathogens.

This mutualistic relationship is a fine example of co-evolution, where both species have evolved traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in conjunction with each other.