Despite the ubiquity and importance of mutualistic interactions, we know little about the
evolutionary genetics underlying their long-term persistence. As in antagonistic interactions …

Background Genome size and gene content in bacteria are associated with their lifestyles.
Obligate intracellular bacteria (ie, mutualists and parasites) have small genomes that …

Many models of mutualisms show that mutualisms are unstable if hosts lack mechanisms
enabling preferential associations with mutualistic symbiotic partners over exploitative …

Evolution experiments with free-living microbes have radically improved our understanding
of genome evolution and how microorganisms adapt. Yet there is a paucity of such research …

Defensive symbionts in the host microbiome can confer protection from infection or reduce
the harms of being infected by a parasite. Defensive symbionts are therefore promising …

Symbiotic interactions between eukaryotes and prokaryotes are widespread in nature. Here
we offer a conceptual framework to study the evolutionary origins and ecological …

When lineages of hosts and microbial symbionts engage in intimate interactions over
evolutionary timescales, they can diversify in parallel (ie, co‐diversify), producing …

Animals are symbiotic superorganisms, composed of eukaryotic cells and specific microbial
residents that perform essential functions for their host. As humans, we are beginning to …

In order for mutualism to evolve, some force must align the interests of the two interacting
partners. Vertical transmission can fill this role, but it is still unknown whether mutualism can …

Obligate symbioses with bacteria allow insects to feed on otherwise unsuitable diets. Some
symbionts have extremely reduced genomes and have lost many genes considered to be …