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

Responses to Salt Stress

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.

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...

Osmoregulation in Fishes

Osmoregulation in Fishes

When cells are placed in a hypotonic (low-salt) fluid, they can swell and burst. Meanwhile, cells in a hypertonic solution—with a higher salt concentration—can shrivel and die. How do fish cells avoid these gruesome fates in hypotonic freshwater or hypertonic seawater environments?

Microbial Mats

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...

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...

Tonicity in Animals

Tonicity in Animals

The tonicity of a solution determines if a cell gains or loses water in that solution. The tonicity depends on the permeability of the cell membrane for different solutes and the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes in the solution within and outside of the cell. If a semipermeable membrane hinders the passage of some solutes but allows water to follow its concentration gradient, water moves from the side with low osmolarity (i.e., less solute) to the side with higher osmolarity (i.e.,...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Getting the Hologenome Concept Right: an Eco-Evolutionary Framework for Hosts and Their Microbiomes.

mSystems·2016

Same author

Commentary: genotype does not determine phenotype.

International journal of epidemiology·2014

Same author

The singular quest for a universal tree of life.

Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR·2013

Same author

A symbiotic view of life: we have never been individuals.

The Quarterly review of biology·2013

Same author

Phylogeny and beyond: Scientific, historical, and conceptual significance of the first tree of life.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2012

Same author

Transcending Darwinism thinking laterally on the tree of life.

History and philosophy of the life sciences·2010

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Physiological Characterization of the Coral Holobiont Using a New Micro-Respirometry Tool

Physiological Characterization of the Coral Holobiont Using a New Micro-Respirometry Tool

Published on: April 28, 2023

Saltational symbiosis.

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada. jsapp@yorku.ca

Theory in Biosciences = Theorie in Den Biowissenschaften

|June 11, 2010

Summary

Symbiosis and lateral gene transfer drive evolutionary innovation, challenging traditional Darwinian gradualism. Molecular phylogenetics confirms these symbiotic processes are fundamental to evolution.

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Molecular phylogenetics
Symbiotic interactions

Background:

Symbiosis traditionally contrasted with gradual Darwinian evolution.
Super-organismal views challenge the classical one-genome: one organism concept.
Past suggestions of symbiosis and lateral gene transfer as evolutionary drivers were often dismissed.

Purpose of the Study:

Re-evaluate the role of symbiosis and lateral gene transfer in evolution.
Integrate these processes into a broader understanding of evolutionary innovation.
Highlight molecular phylogenetic evidence supporting symbiotic mechanisms.

Main Methods:

Analysis of molecular phylogenetic research.
Comparative genomics.
Phylogenetic tree reconstruction.

More Related Videos

Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions

Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions

Published on: March 14, 2025

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Targeted Metabolomics of Hard Coral Samples

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Targeted Metabolomics of Hard Coral Samples

Published on: October 13, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Physiological Characterization of the Coral Holobiont Using a New Micro-Respirometry Tool

Physiological Characterization of the Coral Holobiont Using a New Micro-Respirometry Tool

Published on: April 28, 2023

Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions

Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions

Published on: March 14, 2025

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Targeted Metabolomics of Hard Coral Samples

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Targeted Metabolomics of Hard Coral Samples

Published on: October 13, 2023

Main Results:

Molecular phylogenetics supports symbiosis and lateral gene transfer as key evolutionary mechanisms.
Evidence refutes the exclusive focus on gene mutation and recombination.
Symbiotic integration drives significant evolutionary change.

Conclusions:

Symbiosis and lateral gene transfer are fundamental principles of evolution.
These processes offer a more comprehensive view of evolutionary innovation.
Evolutionary theory must incorporate symbiotic and horizontal gene transfer mechanisms.