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Modeling endosymbioses: Insights and hypotheses from theoretical approaches

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  • Lucas Santana Souza
  • Josephine Solowiej-Wedderburn
  • Adriano Bonforti
  • Eric Libby

Abstract

Endosymbiotic relationships are pervasive across diverse taxa of life, offering key avenues for eco-evolutionary dynamics. Although a variety of experimental and empirical frameworks have shed light on critical aspects of endosymbiosis, theoretical frameworks (mathematical models) are especially well-suited for certain tasks. Mathematical models can integrate multiple factors to determine the net outcome of endosymbiotic relationships, identify broad patterns that connect endosymbioses with other systems, simplify biological complexity, generate hypotheses for underlying mechanisms, evaluate different hypotheses, identify constraints that limit certain biological interactions, and open new lines of inquiry. This Essay highlights the utility of mathematical models in endosymbiosis research, particularly in generating relevant hypotheses. Despite their limitations, mathematical models can be used to address known unknowns and discover unknown unknowns.Endosymbiotic relationships are pervasive across diverse taxa of life, offering key insights into eco-evolutionary dynamics. This Essay highlights the utility of mathematical models in endosymbiosis research, particularly in generating novel hypotheses, arguing that they serve as a useful complement to empirical approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas Santana Souza & Josephine Solowiej-Wedderburn & Adriano Bonforti & Eric Libby, 2024. "Modeling endosymbioses: Insights and hypotheses from theoretical approaches," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 22(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pbio00:3002583
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002583
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    1. Ab. Matteen Rafiqi & Arjuna Rajakumar & Ehab Abouheif, 2020. "Origin and elaboration of a major evolutionary transition in individuality," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7824), pages 239-244, September.
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