Ecological and Evolutionary Benefits of Temperate Phage: What Does or Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger |
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Authors: | Ellie Harrison Michael A Brockhurst |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Arthur Willis Environment Centre, Sheffield, UK;2. Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Sheffield, UK |
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Abstract: | Infection by a temperate phage can lead to death of the bacterial cell, but sometimes these phages integrate into the bacterial chromosome, offering the potential for a more long‐lasting relationship to be established. Here we define three major ecological and evolutionary benefits of temperate phage for bacteria: as agents of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), as sources of genetic variation for evolutionary innovation, and as weapons of bacterial competition. We suggest that a coevolutionary perspective is required to understand the roles of temperate phages in bacterial populations. |
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Keywords: | experimental evolution horizontal gene transfer lysogenic conversion microbial ecology prophage temperate phage transduction |
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