Evidence for microbial local adaptation in nature.
Mol Ecol
; 26(7): 1860-1876, 2017 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27997057
ABSTRACT
Local adaptation is an outcome of divergent selection on microbial populations and has been linked to the immense genetic diversity of microbes observed in nature. Because it is difficult to study microbes in their natural habitats, most tests of microbial local adaptation have been performed in model laboratory systems; as a result, microbiologists have limited understanding of local adaptation among natural microbial populations. In this review, we summarize the evidence for microbial local adaptation in nature. Local adaptation has been most frequently studied, and most frequently found, in host-pathogen systems. We argue that more research is needed to understand the prevalence of local adaptation in free-living microbial populations. However, researchers will need to overcome a variety of logistical and conceptual challenges when studying natural microbial local adaptation, including a lack of solid understanding of many microbes' natural histories. We propose strategies to facilitate future natural history research on divergent selection. We also summarize laboratory experimental work investigating the ecological and evolutionary processes leading to local adaptation. Microbiologists' ongoing challenge is to integrate the valuable knowledge gained from laboratory experiments into well-designed field experiments. Such integration will help us understand the prevalence of, and circumstances leading to, local adaptation among microorganisms.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Bacterias
/
Virus
/
Adaptación Fisiológica
/
Microbiología Ambiental
/
Evolución Biológica
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Ecol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article