Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The evolution of social behavior in microorganisms.

B J. Crespi

    Trends in Ecology & Evolution
    |March 14, 2001
    PubMed
    Summary

    Microorganisms exhibit complex social behaviors, offering new models for studying social evolution. Understanding these behaviors can help control pathogenic bacteria that impact human health.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same journal

    Transboundary protected areas for freshwater biodiversity.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
    Same journal

    Risks of heightened human-wildlife conflict when subsidies disappear.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
    Same journal

    Rebuilding the species pool within a phylogenetic framework.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
    Same journal

    The carbon cost of forest fragmentation: Size matters.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
    Same journal

    Biogeographical costs and opportunities of thermal adaptation.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026
    Same journal

    Microbial contributions to host life history trade-offs.

    Trends in ecology & evolution·2026

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Evolutionary Biology
    • Behavioral Ecology

    Background:

    • Microorganisms display a wide range of complex social behaviors.
    • These behaviors include cooperation in foraging, construction, reproduction, dispersal, and communication.
    • Microbial sociality presents unique opportunities for studying social evolution.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To highlight microorganisms as model systems for social evolution research.
    • To emphasize the application of evolutionary and ecological theories to microbial behavior.
    • To suggest improved strategies for controlling pathogenic bacteria through understanding their social interactions.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of recent studies on microbial social behaviors.
    • Application of evolutionary and ecological theories.
    • Analysis of social interactions in pathogenic bacteria.

    Main Results:

    • Microorganisms demonstrate diverse and complex social behaviors.
    • These behaviors are amenable to the analysis of social evolution.
    • Understanding microbial sociality is key to controlling pathogens.

    Conclusions:

    • Microorganisms serve as valuable models for investigating the evolution of sociality.
    • Integrating evolutionary and ecological perspectives is crucial for microbial behavior studies.
    • Insights into microbial social interactions can lead to novel methods for managing human pathogens.

    Related Experiment Videos