Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Symbiosis

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...

Microbial Interactions: Cooperation

Microbial Interactions: Cooperation

Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...

Microbial Interactions: Mutualism

Microbial Interactions: Mutualism

Mutualism is a symbiotic interaction in which all participating organisms benefit. These relationships can be obligate or facultative and are fundamental to ecosystem functions across diverse biological systems.Plant–Fungi MutualismOne well-known example is the association between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizophagus species. The fungal hyphae penetrate the root hairs and the epidermis, forming an extensive hyphal network that establishes a symbiotic association. Through this...

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-plant interactions represent a dynamic spectrum of associations shaped by intricate chemical signaling. These interactions can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental, and profoundly influence plant physiology, growth, and ecosystem function. The plant microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects through surface colonization, internal colonization, or systemic symbiosis.Mutualistic associations, particularly with...

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...

Microbial Interactions: Competition

Microbial Interactions: Competition

Microbial competition is an ecological interaction in which microorganisms vie for limited resources within shared environments. These resources may include nutrients, space, or light, depending on the system. The intensity and outcome of competition are influenced by the environmental context, such as nutrient availability, spatial constraints, and the diversity of microbial species present. These competitive interactions significantly influence the structure, function, and resilience of...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Diversity and spread of cytoplasmic incompatibility genes among maternally inherited symbionts.

PLoS genetics·2025

Same author

Chromosome-scale genome assembly of the bed bug Cimex lectularius sheds light on a key insecticide resistance locus.

G3 (Bethesda, Md.)·2025

Same author

Evolutionary Convergence of Nutritional Symbionts in Ticks.

Environmental microbiology reports·2025

Same author

Transcriptomic Response to Pyrethroid Treatment in Closely Related Bed Bug Strains Varying in Resistance.

Genome biology and evolution·2024

Same author

Development, feeding, and sex shape the relative quantity of the nutritional obligatory symbiont <i>Wolbachia</i> in bed bugs.

Frontiers in microbiology·2024

Same author

A major 6 Mb superlocus is involved in pyrethroid resistance in the common bed bug <i>Cimex lectularius</i>.

Evolutionary applications·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community

Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community

Published on: May 28, 2007

Interactions between vertically transmitted symbionts: cooperation or conflict?

Emilie Vautrin¹, Fabrice Vavre

¹Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, Villeurbanne F-69622, France.

Trends in Microbiology

|February 24, 2009

Summary

Multiple infections involving vertically transmitted symbionts, common in invertebrates, are crucial for understanding microbial communities. This research highlights their underappreciated ecological and evolutionary significance.

More Related Videos

Coincubation Assay for Quantifying Competitive Interactions between Vibrio fischeri Isolates

Coincubation Assay for Quantifying Competitive Interactions between Vibrio fischeri Isolates

Published on: July 22, 2019

Visualizing Bacteria in Nematodes using Fluorescent Microscopy

Visualizing Bacteria in Nematodes using Fluorescent Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community

Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community

Published on: May 28, 2007

Coincubation Assay for Quantifying Competitive Interactions between Vibrio fischeri Isolates

Coincubation Assay for Quantifying Competitive Interactions between Vibrio fischeri Isolates

Published on: July 22, 2019

Visualizing Bacteria in Nematodes using Fluorescent Microscopy

Visualizing Bacteria in Nematodes using Fluorescent Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2012

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Evolutionary Biology
Ecology

Background:

Multiple infections are key evolutionary drivers of eukaryote-prokaryote interactions, but research often focuses on conflicting, horizontally transmitted parasites.
Multiple infections with vertically transmitted symbionts are prevalent, particularly in invertebrates, yet their ecological and evolutionary roles are underestimated.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the ecological and evolutionary significance of multiple infections with vertically transmitted symbionts.
To investigate symbiont-symbiont interactions, including cooperation and the evolution of bacterial social behaviors, facilitated by vertical transmission.

Main Methods:

This study reviews existing literature and theoretical frameworks concerning multiple symbiont infections.
Analysis focuses on the unique conditions created by vertical transmission for symbiont interactions.

Main Results:

Vertical transmission creates unique environments for symbiont-symbiont interactions, fostering cooperation and dependence.
These interactions can drive the evolution of social behaviors in bacteria within a shared host.

Conclusions:

The ecological and evolutionary importance of multiple infections with vertically transmitted symbionts is significant and warrants further investigation.
Understanding these coexistences opens new research avenues into microbial community dynamics and evolution.