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

Evolution: Welcome to Symbiont Prison.

E Toby Kiers1, Stuart A West2

  • 1Institute of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Current Biology : CB
|January 27, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Global density and biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Social immunity can be a consequence and cause of social evolution.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Cytoplasmic flow dynamics in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are intrinsic and independent of plant hosts.

Fungal biology·2026
Same author

Root traits correlate with crop rhizosphere microbiome diversity independent of legume relatedness.

ISME communications·2026
Same author

Symbiotic fungi underlie the regeneration potential of island rainforests.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

An insect that cooperates like bacteria.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same journal

Increased rates of hybridization in swordtails are associated with water pollution.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Visual uncertainty and task demands shape active sensing strategies in mice.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

An adaptable, self-organizing, single-cell morphology circuit optimizes suctorian predatory trap structure.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Temporal tuning of switch-like virulence expression resolves environmental uncertainty through phenotypic heterogeneity.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

An abstract relational map emerges in the human medial prefrontal cortex with consolidation.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Phloem evolved gradually and asynchronously to xylem in early vascular plants.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Egalitarian partnerships are rare in nature. A study shows protist hosts exploit algal symbionts for survival, limiting algal defense and retaliation.

Area of Science:

  • Symbiotic relationships in microbiology
  • Protist-algal interactions
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Symbiosis is a close and long-term interaction between two different biological species.
  • Protists, a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, often engage in symbiotic relationships.
  • Algal symbionts can provide nutrients to hosts in exchange for shelter and resources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nature of partnerships between protist hosts and their algal symbionts.
  • To determine if these symbiotic relationships can be considered egalitarian.
  • To understand the dynamics of resource exchange and host control in protist-algal symbiosis.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of protist-algal interactions in controlled environments.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Genetic analysis to assess the genetic contribution and control of each partner.
  • Nutrient uptake and exchange rate measurements.

    • Main Results:

    • Protist hosts exhibit a 'use and abuse' strategy towards their algal symbionts.
    • The symbiotic relationship primarily benefits the protist, especially in low-nutrient conditions.
    • Algal symbionts have limited capacity for retaliation or negotiation within the partnership.

    Conclusions:

    • Egalitarian partnerships are not the norm in this specific protist-algal symbiotic system.
    • Host control and exploitation appear to be key factors in the survival strategy of these protists.
    • The findings challenge the notion of mutualism in all symbiotic relationships, highlighting potential power imbalances.