Colonial associations: what are, types and examples

Colonial associations are a type of intra -specific relationship and refer to those collaborative groups formed by individuals derived from sexual reproduction having as its origin a common parent and that physically persist united with each other.

These types of associations are characteristics of places where there is a favorable abiotic factor for these, either due to light or temperature conditions. In fact, colonies formation is a adaptive response And very varied forms can be created (inlays, monticular, branched or globose, among others), as well as presenting many colors and sizes.

Here you can learn more about what intrasepcific relationships and examples are.

Exist Two types of colonial associationsaccording to the morphological and functional characteristics of the participating agencies:

• Homomorphic colonial associations: It occurs when the association participating agencies are equal. In this type of association, each component performs the functions of life.
• Heteromorphic colonial associations: It occurs when the members of the association are different and a labor division is established: food, defense, cleaning, fixation and reproduction, among others.

In nature there are numerous cases of colonial relations. Next, we detail several examples of colonies:

Bacteria

Typically, bacteria form colonies formed by unicellular organisms from the division of a stem cell, giving rise to numerous equal clones between them. In this link you will see the different types of bacteria.

Portuguese caravel

Even if you surprise you, the one known as Portuguese Carabela (Physalia Physalis) is an example of colony and, from here, its nickname “False Medusa”since it is not really a jellyfish but a colonial organism. In it, each of the Hydroids It is specialized in the realization of a specific function, while some of them are responsible for the defense, others capture the dams and others are responsible for the food or reproduction of the colony. They are, therefore, colonial organisms heteromorphic.

In addition, as they do not have a brain, it enters this selection of 14 animals without brain, discover others!

Corals

The corals are neither plants nor rocks but Colonial animalsthat is, they are part of the animal kingdom and live forming colonies. They are called Zooids or polyps. The Coral colonies They are made up of hundreds of thousands of individuals and can reach extraordinary tañ, giving rise to areas of wide or subtropical extension. These animals depend up to 25% of marine species. Together with sea sponges, they are known as the longest marine organisms discovered until today; His age is reflected by the age of the whole of the colony and not by that of each individual in particular. Examples of coral colonial associations are the red coral or the early mornings.

Volvox algae

Within the aquatic environment, there are several colonial organisms. The Volvox algae is one of the most curious and fascinating microscopic forms that exists. Normally, it forms colonies of about 2,000 cells, which form a gelatinous sphere composed of glycoproteins and, occasionally, together with with cytoplasmic filaments. Each of these cells is specialized by devoting itself to reproduction or to locomotion, but not performing both functions at the same time. This, therefore, is an example of heteromorphic colonies. There are several other species of colonial green algae.

Ascidias

These are bentonic and sessile marine animals. At first glance, it looks like a bag with two openings, with an apical oral siphon and another dorsal sewer. Their cells are welded with each other forming a common colonial mass (called composite ascidia). Some examples of composite ascidias are BOTRYLOIDES LEACHIIwhich forms colonies in a circular or elongated way, and Botryllus Schlosseriforming colonies in a star form.

Pyrosomids

Are colonial planktonic organisms. These groups are formed by a large number of individuals called zooids, which are grouped giving rise to a cylinder -shaped gelatinous tube shape. Some of these associations can measure from a few centimeters to several meters in length. Interestingly, these organisms have the ability to emit bioluminescence thanks to the fact that it presents symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the cells of their body.

In general, Colonial associations give rise to a mutual benefit for all components that form this intra -specific relationship. These are the main advantages of colonies:

• One of the most common advantages is the power to improve defense skills against possible predators attacks and, also, to confuse the predator.
• Improves hunting and predation efficiency, in general, and the ability to locate food resources.
• It also represents an advantage for the reproduction and care and protection of the young. It is, therefore, it is an advantage to ensure the survival of the participating agencies.
• The division of labor within the colony is an advantage over the effectiveness of the set.

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