In 1877, Albert Bernhard Frank used the term symbiosis which previously had been used to depict people living together in community to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens.[6] In 1879, the German mycologist Heinrich Anton de Bary defined it as "the living together of unlike organisms."[7][8] The definition has varied among scientists with some advocating that it should only refer to persistent mutualisms, while others thought it should apply to any type of persistent biological interaction in other words mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.[9
Mutualism or interspecies reciprocal altruism is a relationship between individuals of different species where both individuals benefit.
Commensalism describes a relationship between two living organisms where one benefits and the other is not significantly harmed or helped.
A parasitic relationship is one in which one member of the association benefits while the other is harmed.
Amensalism is the type of relationship that exists where one species is inhibited or completely obliterated and one is unaffected by the other.
Synnecrosis is a rare type of symbiosis in which the interaction between species is detrimental to both organisms involved.[3] It is a short-lived condition, as the interaction eventually causes death
Evolution[edit]
Leafhoppers protected by meat ants
Symbiosis is increasingly recognized as an important selective force behind evolution,[4][37] with many species having a long history of interdependent co-evolution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis