Abstract

Based on the thesis that insights into both evolution and ecology can be obtained through the study of microorganismsm, Microbial Ecology examines microbiology through the lens of evolutionary ecology. Measured from a microbial perspective, this text covers such topics as optimal foraging, genome, reduction, novel evolutionary mechanisms, bacterial speciation, and r and K selection. Numerous aspects of microbial existence are also discussed and include: species competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, microbial communication through quorum sensing and other. The result is a context for understanding microbes in nature and a framework for microbiologists working in industry, medicine, and the environment.

• Applies evolutionary ecological concepts to microbes
• Addresses individual, population and community ecology
• Presents species concepts and offers insights on the origin of life and modern microbial ecology
• Examines topics such as species interactions, nutrient cycling, quorum sensing and cheating