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Evolution of Cooperative Cross-Feeding Could Be Less Challenging Than Originally Thought

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  • Sylvie Estrela
  • Ivana Gudelj

Abstract

The act of cross-feeding whereby unrelated species exchange nutrients is a common feature of microbial interactions and could be considered a form of reciprocal altruism or reciprocal cooperation. Past theoretical work suggests that the evolution of cooperative cross-feeding in nature may be more challenging than for other types of cooperation. Here we re-evaluate a mathematical model used previously to study persistence of cross-feeding and conclude that the maintenance of cross-feeding interactions could be favoured for a larger parameter ranges than formerly observed. Strikingly, we also find that large populations of cross-feeders are not necessarily vulnerable to extinction from an initially small number of cheats who receive the benefit of cross-feeding but do not reciprocate in this cooperative interaction. This could explain the widespread cooperative cross-feeding observed in natural populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvie Estrela & Ivana Gudelj, 2010. "Evolution of Cooperative Cross-Feeding Could Be Less Challenging Than Originally Thought," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(11), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0014121
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014121
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