Evolving Ecosystems: Inheritance and Selection in the Light of the Microbiome

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology

Background:

• Microorganisms are integral to human biology, with growing evidence of their fundamental roles in animal and plant physiology.
• The complexity of microbial communities is increasingly recognized, necessitating a re-evaluation of evolutionary theories.
• The concept of the holobiont, viewing host and microbes as a single evolutionary unit, challenges traditional evolutionary synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review ecological concepts applicable to understanding host-microbiome systems.
• To highlight the fundamental role of microorganisms in both physiology and evolution.
• To emphasize the need to integrate host-microbiome dynamics into evolutionary frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of ecological concepts.
• Analysis of host-microbiome interactions across diverse species.
• Discussion of evolutionary implications of microbial symbiosis.

Main Results:

• Ecological concepts can elucidate the physiology and evolution of host-microbiome systems.
• Microorganisms are fundamental to the physiology and evolution of a wide range of organisms, including humans.
• Host-microbiome networks are crucial for understanding evolutionary history and symbiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Current evolutionary theories must expand to include the dynamics of host-microbiome interactions.
• The interconnectedness of host and microbial genetic and metabolic networks represents a significant evolutionary unit.
• Recognizing the long evolutionary history shared with microbes is key to a comprehensive understanding of life.