Reciprocal Interactions Between Gut Microbiota and Host Social Behavior
Reciprocal Interactions Between Gut Microbiota and Host Social Behavior
Date
2018
Authors
Gustavo Pacheco-Lopez, 0000-0002-3458-197X
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Abstract
Description
Animals harbor an extensive, dynamic microbial ecosystem in their gut. Gut microbiota (GM) supposedly modulate various host functions including fecundity, metabolism, immunity, cognition and behavior. Starting by analyzing the concept of the holobiont as a unit of selection, we highlight recent findings suggesting an intimate link between GM and animal social behavior. We consider two reciprocal emerging themes: (i) that GM influence host social behavior; and (ii) that social behavior and social structure shape the composition of the GM across individuals. We propose that, throughout a long history
of coevolution, GM may have become involved in the modulation of their host’s sociality to foster their own transmission, while in turn social organization may have fine-tuned the transmission of beneficial endosymbionts and prevented pathogen infection. We suggest that investigating these reciprocal interactions can advance our understanding
of sociality, from healthy and impaired social cognition to the evolution of specific social behaviors and societal structure.
Keywords
BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA