symbiosis

A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

Union for life of certain organisms, each of which is necessary to the other; an intimate vital consociation, or kind of consortism, differing in the degree and nature of the connection from inquilinity and parasitism, as in the case of the fungus and alga which together make up the so-called lichen, or of the fungus Mycorrhiza and various Cupuliferæ. See Lichenes, Mycorrhiza. Also called commensalism.

The living together in more or less imitative association or even close union of two dissimilar organisms. In a broad sense the term includes parasitism, or antagonistic symbiosis or antipathetic symbiosis, in which the association is disadvantageous or destructive to one of the organisms, but ordinarily it is used of cases where the association is advantageous, or often necessary, to one or both, and not harmful to either. When there is bodily union (in extreme cases so close that the two form practically a single body, as in the union of algæ and fungi to form lichens, and in the inclusion of algæ in radiolarians) it is called conjunctive symbiosis; if there is no actual union of the organisms (as in the association of ants with myrmecophytes), disjunctive symbiosis.

A relationship of mutual benefit.

A close, prolonged association between two or more organisms of different species, regardless of benefit to the members.

The state of people living together in community.

the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other