A Concept Using α-Niche Evolution Within Bacterial Communities to Direct β-Niche Evolution of Focal Species

The process of bacterial adaptation has a profound impact on human wellbeing and health, but our toolkit to modify evolution is limited. Here, we present a concept of how steering adaptation can be achieved by integration of bacterial evolution and microbial ecology. The fundamental question is how specific species bloom after community perturbation and subsequently evolve. We consider two kinds of traits-α-niche traits involved in partitioning resources (e.g., broadened resource consumption) and β-niche traits driven by changes in the abiotic environment (e.g., pH adaptation or resistance after antibiotic treatment). We suggest that the evolution of the second trait can be directed indirectly via the evolution of the first trait, exploiting specific interspecies interactions. Thus, understanding how these traits interact in co-evolving communities may offer unprecedented opportunities to deflect trait evolution. Summarising current knowledge, emphasising open questions and highlighting conceptual ideas, we hope to stimulate new studies that are needed to move this field forward.