Tripartite symbiosis is a type of symbiosis involving three species. This can include any combination of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, or archaea, often in interkingdom symbiosis.
Main article: Fungus-growing ants |
Ants of Attini cultivate fungi. Microfungi, specialized to be parasites of the fungus gardens, coevolved with them.[1]
Main articles: Allomerus decemarticulatus, Hirtella physophora, and Allomerus decemarticulatus § Fungal symbiosis |
Allomerus decemarticulatus ants use Trimmatostroma sp. to create structures within Hirtella physophora.[2][3] The fungi are connected endophytically and actively transfer nitrogen.[4]
Main article: Cyanolichen |
The mycobiont in a lichen can form a relationship with both cyanobacteria and green algae as photobionts concurrently.[5][6][7]
Main article: Root nodule § Nodule-like structures |
Rhizobia are nitrogen-fixating bacteria that form symbiotic relationships with legumes. Sometimes, this is aided by the presence of a fungal species.[8] This is most effective in undistributed soil.[9] The presence of mycorrhizae can improve the rhizobial-liquorice nutrient transfer in droughts.[10] Soybeans in particular can improve their ability to withstand soil salinity with the presence of both rhizobium and mycorrhizae.[11]