What choanoflagellates can teach us about symbiosis

by Arielle Woznica Environmental bacteria influence many facets of choanoflagellate biology, yet surprisingly few examples of symbioses exist. We need to find out why, as choanoflagellates can help us to understand how symbiosis may have shaped the early evolution of animals. Environmental bacteria influence many facets of choanoflagellate biology, yet surprisingly few examples of symbioses exist. This Perspective explores why choanoflagellates are an exciting system for enriching our understanding of eukaryote-bacteria symbioses and for considering how symbiotic associations with bacteria may shaped the early evolution of animals.
Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: research