Plasmids have a key role in bacterial ecology and evolution because they mobilize
accessory genes by horizontal gene transfer. However, recent studies have revealed that …

Virtually all plants and animals, including humans, are home to symbiotic microorganisms.
Symbiotic interactions can be neutral, harmful or have beneficial effects on the host …

For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and
defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly …

Animal hosts have initiated myriad symbiotic associations with microorganisms and often
have maintained these symbioses for millions of years, spanning drastic changes in …

Endozoicomonas are prevalent, abundant bacterial associates of marine animals, including
corals. Their role in holobiont health and functioning, however, remains poorly understood …

Insects share an intimate relationship with their gut microflora and this symbiotic association
has developed into an essential evolutionary outcome intended for their survival through …

Many animals are dependent on microbial partners that provide essential nutrients lacking
from their diet. Ticks, whose diet consists exclusively on vertebrate blood, rely on maternally …

Symbionts can regulate animal reproduction in multiple ways, but the underlying
physiological and biochemical mechanisms remain largely unknown. The presence of …

Members of the bacterial genus Rickettsia were originally identified as causative agents of
vector-borne diseases in mammals. However, many Rickettsia species are arthropod …

Insect symbionts are widespread in nature and lateral gene transfer is prevalent in insect
symbiosis. However, the function of horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) in insect …