What type of symbiotic relationship do ants and acacia trees have?

Answer 1

The ants and acacia trees have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship. The acacia tree provides shelter and food to the ants in the form of specialized structures called "domatia" and extra-floral nectaries respectively. The ants, in turn, protect the acacia tree from herbivores, such as elephants or giraffes, by aggressively attacking any animals that try to eat the leaves or branches of the tree. Additionally, the ants prune competing vegetation away from the acacia, which helps it grow more effectively.