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Division of labour in microorganisms: an evolutionary perspective
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|September 20, 2016
Summary
Division of labour, where individuals specialize in tasks, is key to complex societies. This opinion piece explores its role in microbes, proposing cooperation between phenotypes as a defining feature.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial ecology
- Social evolution
Background:
- Division of labour is crucial for complex societies.
- Emerging evidence suggests division of labour in microorganisms.
- Understanding microbial division of labour is an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the conditions for division of labour.
- To propose cooperation between phenotypes as a defining feature.
- To highlight evolutionary questions surrounding microbial division of labour.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of division of labour.
- Review of existing literature on microbial cooperation.
- Theoretical framework development.
Main Results:
- Division of labour is characterized by cooperation between different phenotypes.
- This framework clarifies evolutionary questions about microbial division of labour.
- Identifies key factors driving the evolution of division of labour in microbes.
Conclusions:
- Cooperation is central to understanding division of labour in microbial systems.
- Clarifying division of labour aids in understanding its evolutionary significance.
- Further research is needed to explore the forms and selective advantages of microbial division of labour.
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