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

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  • Joana P. Bernardes

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
    Kiel University)

  • Uwe John

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
    Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Oldenburg)

  • Noemi Woltermann

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology)

  • Martha Valiadi

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
    Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas)

  • Ruben J. Hermann

    (Aquatic Ecology and Evolution)

  • Lutz Becks

    (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
    Aquatic Ecology and Evolution)

Abstract

The evolutionary transition towards multicellular life often involves growth in groups of undifferentiated cells followed by differentiation into soma and germ-like cells. Theory predicts that germ soma differentiation is facilitated by a convex trade-off between survival and reproduction. However, this has never been tested and these transitions remain poorly understood at the ecological and genetic level. Here, we study the evolution of cell groups in ten isogenic lines of the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with prolonged exposure to a rotifer predator. We confirm that growth in cell groups is heritable and characterized by a convex trade-off curve between reproduction and survival. Identical mutations evolve in all cell group isolates; these are linked to survival and reducing associated cell costs. Overall, we show that just 500 generations of predator selection were sufficient to lead to a convex trade-off and incorporate evolved changes into the prey genome.

Suggested Citation

  • Joana P. Bernardes & Uwe John & Noemi Woltermann & Martha Valiadi & Ruben J. Hermann & Lutz Becks, 2021. "The evolution of convex trade-offs enables the transition towards multicellularity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24503-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24503-z
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