Social evolution theory for microorganisms

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Abstract
Microorganisms communicate and cooperate to perform a wide range of multicellular behaviours, such as dispersal, foraging, biofilm formation, 'chemical warfare' and quorum sensing. Cooperative behaviour poses a problem to evolutionary theory, as it can potentially be exploited by cheaters who do not cooperate. Kin selection theory provides an explanation for cooperation between individuals who share genes ? by helping a close relative to reproduce, an individual is still passing on its own genes to the next generation, albeit indirectly. Kin selection can often be important in microorganisms because asexual reproduction and dispersal patterns mean that individual cells will often be surrounded by identical clones. Cooperation between non-relatives, or even between species, can be explained if the cooperative behaviour provides a direct benefit to the individual who performs the behaviour, which outweighs the cost of performing the behaviour (that is, the cooperation is mutually beneficial). A greater understanding of cooperation in microorganisms will come from combining evolutionary and mechanistic approaches.

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