The bacterial march toward symbiosis: on-ramps and off-ramps.

Abstract excerpt

Host-associated bacteria are found across the tree of life. In this opinion article, we propose that population genetics theory can be used to probe the conditions that form the path toward such symbioses. We illustrate how mutation-selection models generate insights into the maintenance of a symbiont under transmission between generations and from the environment. We outline how basic features of host population...

Topics

• Symbiosis
• Selection, Genetic
• Bacteria
• Mutation
• Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
• Genetics, Population