J. Strassmann

Experimental evolution of symbiotic microbes without their partners can imply the presence of cooperative or antagonistic adaptations

The paper uses experimental evolution to study microbial symbiosis by evolving microbes in isolation, revealing strain-specific adaptations that suggest historical cooperative or antagonistic interactions.

In the social amoeba D. discoideum, shortened stalks limit obligate cheater success even when exploitable partners are available.

The paper shows that obligate cheaters in D. discoideum produce shorter stalks in chimeras, reducing spore dispersal and limiting their success despite available partners.

Reduced social function in experimentally evolved Dictyostelium discoideum implies selection for social conflict in nature

This study shows that experimentally evolved Dictyostelium discoideum lost traits related to social conflict when selective pressures were removed, suggesting these traits are adaptations to natural social interactions.