Wolbachia, bottled water, and the dark side of symbiosis

Abstract

Obligate endosymbiosis is operationally defined when loss or removal of the endosymbiont from the host results in the death of both. Whereas these relationships are typically viewed as mutualistic, molecular and cellular analysis reveals numerous instances in which these symbiotic relationships are established by alternative, nonmutualistic strategies. The endosymbiont usurps or integrates into core host processes, creating a need where none previously existed. Here I discuss examples of these addictive symbiotic relationships and how they are a likely outcome of all complex evolving systems.