The interplay between microevolution and community structure in microbial populations

The structure of microbial communities is key to their functionality. However, this structure is likely to be influenced by adaptive genetic change in members of the community, which can occur over a matter of days. Changes in community structure can in turn influence the evolutionary trajectories of species within the community, further altering community structure. Microbial communities provide evidence for this interplay between rapid evolution and community structure. To date, studies are primarily limited to simple in vitro systems, but we suggest similar processes are inevitably operating in both natural and derived communities, which are important for biotechnology.

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► The action of industrial processes depends on microbial community structure.
► Microbes evolve very rapidly.
► Microbial evolution is affected by community structure.
► Community structure is affected by microbial evolution.
► This feedback may be crucial when considering microbial communities in industry.