The evolution of convex trade-offs enables the transition towards multicellularity

Joana P. Bernardes; Uwe John; Noemi Woltermann; Martha Valiadi; Ruben J. Hermann; Lutz Becks

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-24503-z

Nature Communications (Jul 2021)

The evolution of convex trade-offs enables the transition towards multicellularity

Joana P. Bernardes,
Uwe John,
Noemi Woltermann,
Martha Valiadi,
Ruben J. Hermann,
Lutz Becks

Affiliations

Joana P. Bernardes: Community Dynamics Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
Uwe John: Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Noemi Woltermann: Community Dynamics Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
Martha Valiadi: Community Dynamics Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
Ruben J. Hermann: Limnological Institute University Konstanz, Aquatic Ecology and Evolution
Lutz Becks: Community Dynamics Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24503-z
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Multicellularity is a major evolutionary transition that remains poorly characterized at the ecological and genetic level. Exposing unicellular green algae to a rotifer predator showed that just 500 generations of predator selection were sufficient to lead to a convex trade-off and incorporate evolved changes into the prey genome.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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