Abstract

Microbes engage in diverse interactions to which social evolution theory developed for animals can be usefully applied. In turn, studies on microbes offer insight into social evolution theory as it applies to larger organisms. Here we review key evolutionary concepts as applied to microbial interactions, then describe some prominent examples of how microbes interact to obtain resources, communicate, move, attack and defend themselves from competitors, prey, or predators, and influence multicellular hosts.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Animal Behavior, Second Edition
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 1-5
PublisherElsevier
PagesV4-651-V4-660
Volume4
ISBN (Electronic)9780128132524
ISBN (Print)9780128132517
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

  • Altruism
  • Antagonism
  • Bacteria
  • Conflict
  • Cooperation
  • Evolution
  • Kin selection
  • Microbe
  • Multicellularity
  • Mutualism
  • Symbiosis

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