Symbiosis - Mutualism and Welsh Farmers
Created | Updated Nov 1, 2003
Mutalism is a symbiotic relationship between organisms of two different species, in which both benefit.
An example of a close mutualistic association is a lichen. The fungal partner protects the algal symbiont which, through photosynthesis, provides nourishment for the fungus. Neither partner can survive independently. Other close associations include termites and cellulose digesting protozoans, cows and rumen bacteria, leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, etc.
Looser mutualistic asociations include Egyptian plovers cleaning the mouths of crocodiles, tick birds on Rhinos, and cleaner fish feeding on parasites in the mouth and gills of sharks.
However, by far the best known example of mutualism is that of a Welsh sheep farmer and his favourite ewe (not to be confused with a gay Welshman and his favourite Ewan). By offering her sexual services to the farmer, the ewe benefits from not being transformed into a mutton pie. The farmer benefits from having his libidinous urges satisfied, and the world benefits by having one less Welshman spawning offspring.
Sometimes particularly unattractive ewes take part in kinky sex games in order to attract a suitable partner, though this is seldom necessary. The commonest example of this is the sheep chewing on a dummy and waving a rattle, whilst wearing a nappy. This has given rise to the phrase, "Mutton dressed as lamb".
An example of a close mutualistic association is a lichen. The fungal partner protects the algal symbiont which, through photosynthesis, provides nourishment for the fungus. Neither partner can survive independently. Other close associations include termites and cellulose digesting protozoans, cows and rumen bacteria, leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, etc.
Looser mutualistic asociations include Egyptian plovers cleaning the mouths of crocodiles, tick birds on Rhinos, and cleaner fish feeding on parasites in the mouth and gills of sharks.
However, by far the best known example of mutualism is that of a Welsh sheep farmer and his favourite ewe (not to be confused with a gay Welshman and his favourite Ewan). By offering her sexual services to the farmer, the ewe benefits from not being transformed into a mutton pie. The farmer benefits from having his libidinous urges satisfied, and the world benefits by having one less Welshman spawning offspring.
Sometimes particularly unattractive ewes take part in kinky sex games in order to attract a suitable partner, though this is seldom necessary. The commonest example of this is the sheep chewing on a dummy and waving a rattle, whilst wearing a nappy. This has given rise to the phrase, "Mutton dressed as lamb".
