Reward and punishment in a coral algae symbiotic relationship

[MaxM]

Scientists uncover coral-algae reward, punishment system

In human society, reward and punishment are introduced as an incentive to induce cooperation. However, some people still try to cheat to win. So, is there a system with clear rewards and punishments in the world of other organisms? The answer is "yes."

phys.org

 

[MnFish1]

Scientists uncover coral-algae reward, punishment system

In human society, reward and punishment are introduced as an incentive to induce cooperation. However, some people still try to cheat to win. So, is there a system with clear rewards and punishments in the world of other organisms? The answer is "yes."

phys.org

Very interesting!!!

 

[DanyL]

Fascinating.

One thing I didn't quite understand from the article was the purpose of having multiple species of algae on the same host. Are there any benefits of having one over the other outside their generosity?
Because logically, those "cheating" algae should've been extinct by now if they were to be expelled by all hosts that for obvious reasons would prefer to preserve more generous types of algae.