A fundamental feature of symbioses is the colonization of the host by specific
microorganisms. The degree of specificity is reflected both in the number of microbial …

During light organ colonization of the squid Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri, host-
derived mucus provides a surface upon which environmental V. fischeri forms a biofilm and …

Bacteria successfully colonize distinct niches because they can sense and appropriately
respond to a variety of environmental signals. Of particular interest is how a bacterium …

Our understanding of the contributions of symbiotic microbes to animal behavior is being
greatly facilitated by technological advances in characterizing host-associated microbial …

All metazoan evolution has occurred in the context of microorganisms, which exist in and
around all living things. Consequently, mutualism between microbes and animal hosts is an …

Symbiotic microorganisms are essential for the lives of many multicellular eukaryotes (1). In
insects, decades of symbiosis and—more recently—microbiome research have shown that …

From a survival perspective, it is hypothesized that leech saliva exhibits certain physiological
effects to ensure fast blood-feeding, including analgesia, anesthesia, and anti-inflammation …

While the majority of symbiosis research is focused on bacteria, microbial eukaryotes play
important roles in the microbiota and as pathogens, especially the incredibly diverse Fungi …

Bacterial intracellular symbiosis (endosymbiosis) is widespread in nature and impacts many
biological processes. In holometabolous symbiotic insects, metamorphosis entails a …