An integrative approach to understanding microbial diversity: from intracellular mechanisms to community structure.
Trade-offs have been put forward as essential to the generation and maintenance of diversity. However, variation in trade-offs is often determined at the molecular level, outside the scope of conventional ecological inquiry. In this study, we propose that understanding the intracellular basis for trade-offs in microbial systems can aid in predicting and interpreting patterns of diversity. First, we show how laboratory experiments and mathematical models have unveiled the hidden intracellular mechanisms underlying trade-offs key to microbial diversity: (i) metabolic and regulatory trade-offs in bacteria and yeast; (ii) life-history trade-offs in bacterial viruses. Next, we examine recent studies of marine microbes that have taken steps toward reconciling the molecular and the ecological views of trade-offs, despite the challenges in doing so in natural settings. Finally, we suggest avenues for research where mathematical modelling, experiments and studies of natural microbial communities provide a unique opportunity to integrate studies of diversity across multiple scales.
Gudelj
Ivana
I
Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London SW72A7, UK.
Weitz
Joshua S
JS
Ferenci
Tom
T
Claire Horner-Devine
M
M
Marx
Christopher J
CJ
Meyer
Justin R
JR
Forde
Samantha E
SE
D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D044822:Biodiversity; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014871:Water Microbiology