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Synergistic cooperation promotes multicellular performance and unicellular free-rider persistence

Author

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  • William W Driscoll

    (The Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
    Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, Roseville, Minnesota 55108, USA)

  • Michael Travisano

    (The Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
    Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, Roseville, Minnesota 55108, USA)

Abstract

The evolution of multicellular life requires cooperation among cells, which can be undermined by intra-group selection for selfishness. Theory predicts that selection to avoid non-cooperators limits social interactions among non-relatives, yet previous evolution experiments suggest that intra-group conflict is an outcome, rather than a driver, of incipient multicellular life cycles. Here we report the evolution of multicellularity via two distinct mechanisms of group formation in the unicellular budding yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. Cells remain permanently attached following mitosis, giving rise to clonal clusters (staying together); clusters then reversibly assemble into social groups (coming together). Coming together amplifies the benefits of multicellularity and allows social clusters to collectively outperform solitary clusters. However, cooperation among non-relatives also permits fast-growing unicellular lineages to ‘free-ride’ during selection for increased size. Cooperation and competition for the benefits of multicellularity promote the stable coexistence of unicellular and multicellular genotypes, underscoring the importance of social and ecological context during the transition to multicellularity.

Suggested Citation

  • William W Driscoll & Michael Travisano, 2017. "Synergistic cooperation promotes multicellular performance and unicellular free-rider persistence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15707
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15707
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    Cited by:

    1. Bouderbala, Ilhem & El Saadi, Nadjia & Bah, Alassane & Auger, Pierre, 2019. "A simulation study on how the resource competition and anti-predator cooperation impact the motile-phytoplankton groups’ formation under predation stress," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 391(C), pages 16-28.
    2. Michael Travisano & Michihisa Maeda & Fumie Fuji & Toshiaki Kudo, 2018. "Rapid adaptation to near extinction in microbial experimental evolution," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 141-152, April.
    3. Yashraj Chavhan & Sutirth Dey & Peter A. Lind, 2023. "Bacteria evolve macroscopic multicellularity by the genetic assimilation of phenotypically plastic cell clustering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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