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Interacting cells driving the evolution of multicellular life cycles
Yuanxiao Gao1, Arne Traulsen1, Yuriy Pichugin1
1Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306 Plön, Germany.
Plos Computational Biology
|May 16, 2019
Summary
Cell interactions drive the evolution of multicellularity. Optimal life cycles involve splitting into unicellular propagules or fragmenting into equal-sized clusters, maximizing population growth.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Theoretical biology
- Origin of life
Background:
- Complex multicellular life evolved from early cell clusters.
- Cell interactions within clusters offered advantages over unicellular life.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how cell interactions influence reproduction modes in early multicellularity.
- Identify optimal life cycles for the evolution of multicellular life.
Main Methods:
- Combined evolutionary game theory with a model for multicellular group emergence.
- Analyzed two-player games to capture cell interactions.
- Identified optimal life cycles by maximizing population growth rate.
Main Results:
- Most interactions favor life cycles of splitting into unicellular propagules or fragmenting into equal-sized clusters.
- Stochastic phenotype switching maintains both cell types during division.
- Average performance of homogeneous, heterogeneous, and solitary cells are key factors.
Conclusions:
- Cell interactions significantly shape the evolution of multicellular life cycles.
- Life cycles maximizing population growth are favored.
- Group and solitary cell performance are critical determinants for multicellular evolution.
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