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We often picture eukaryogenesis as a symbiosis between two lineages: an archaeal host & the ancestor of mitochondria.
But what if the origin of eukaryotes emerged within a much more complex microbial ecosystem?
A fascinating study from @tonigabaldon.bsky.social et al. explores exactly this. š§µ
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In the context of rampant LGT, a gene showing affinity to extant Myxococcota does not necessarily imply that an ancestor of Myxococcota directly interacted with pre-LECA ancestor.
The gene itself could have travelled through multiple microbial lineages long before reaching that population.
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The broader implication is intriguing.
Rather than a single symbiotic event, eukaryogenesis may have involved successive interactions with multiple microbial partners contributing genes and functions over evolutionary time.