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Rules of engagement: defining bacterial communication
Apollo R Stacy1, Stephen P Diggle, Marvin Whiteley
1Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A5000, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|December 22, 2011
Summary
Microbiologists and evolutionary biologists differ on bacterial communication definitions. True communication, in an evolutionary context, is rare between unrelated species, unlike broader microbiological interaction definitions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Microbiologists frequently use 'communication' to describe any interaction between organisms, including across species.
- Evolutionary theory defines communication more strictly, implying it occurs rarely between unrelated organisms.
- Discrepancies in defining microbial communication can hinder scientific clarity and progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the semantic differences between microbiological and evolutionary definitions of communication.
- To emphasize the need for precise language in scientific discourse, particularly concerning inter-organism interactions.
- To advocate for considering fitness consequences and adaptive significance in multispecies communities.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of definitions used in microbiology and evolutionary biology.
- Literature review on the application of the term 'communication' in microbial studies.
- Conceptual framework development for distinguishing true communication from other interactions.
Main Results:
- Microbiological usage of 'communication' is broad, encompassing all interactions.
- Evolutionary perspective necessitates a narrower definition, focusing on specific signaling mechanisms and fitness benefits.
- A gap exists between common microbiological parlance and evolutionary standards for communication.
Conclusions:
- Clarifying the definition of microbial communication is crucial for advancing biological understanding.
- Distinguishing between general interactions and true communication enhances conceptual precision.
- Focusing on adaptive significance in multispecies interactions offers deeper insights beyond semantic debates.
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