We present here the hologenome theory of evolution, which considers the holobiont (the animal or plant with all of its associated microorganisms) as a unit of selection in evolution. The hologenome is defined as the sum of the genetic information of the host and its microbiota. The theory is based on four generalizations: (1) All animals and plants establish symbiotic relationships with microorganisms. (2) Symbiotic microorganisms are transmitted between generations. (3) The association between host and symbionts affects the fitness of the holobiont within its environment. (4) Variation in the hologenome can be brought about by changes in either the host or the microbiota genomes; under environmental stress, the symbiotic microbial community can change rapidly. These points taken together suggest that the genetic wealth of diverse microbial symbionts can play an important role both in adaptation and in evolution of higher organisms. During periods of rapid changes in the environment, the diverse microbial symbiont community can aid the holobiont in surviving, multiplying and buying the time necessary for the host genome to evolve. The distinguishing feature of the hologenome theory is that it considers all of the diverse microbiota associated with the animal or the plant as part of the evolving holobiont. Thus, the hologenome theory fits within the framework of the 'superorganism' proposed by Wilson and Sober.

中文翻译：

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微生物在动植物进化中的作用：进化的全基因组理论。

我们在这里介绍进化的全基因组理论，该理论将全生命体（具有所有相关微生物的动物或植物）视为进化中选择的单位。完整基因组定义为宿主及其微生物群遗传信息的总和。该理论基于四个概括：（1）所有动植物都与微生物建立共生关系。（2）共生微生物在世代之间传播。（3）宿主与共生体之间的关联会影响整体人在其环境中的适应性。（4）完整基因组的变异可以通过宿主或微生物群基因组的改变引起；在环境压力下，共生微生物群落可以快速变化。这些观点加在一起表明，各种微生物共生体的遗传财富可以在适应和高等生物的进化中发挥重要作用。在环境快速变化的时期，多样的微生物共生体群落可以帮助全生命细胞生存，繁殖和购买宿主基因组进化所需的时间。全息基因组学理论的显着特征是，它把与动物或植物相关的所有各种微生物群视为进化的全生命周期生物的一部分。因此，全息基因组学理论符合威尔逊和索伯提出的“超有机体”的框架。多样的微生物共生体群落可以帮助整体生物存活，繁殖和购买宿主基因组进化所需的时间。全息基因组学理论的显着特征是，它把与动物或植物相关的所有各种微生物群视为进化的全生命周期生物的一部分。因此，完整基因组学理论符合威尔逊和索伯提出的“超有机体”的框架。多样的微生物共生体群落可以帮助整体生物存活，繁殖和购买宿主基因组进化所需的时间。全息基因组学理论的显着特征是，它把与动物或植物相关的所有各种微生物群视为进化的全生命周期生物的一部分。因此，全息基因组学理论符合威尔逊和索伯提出的“超有机体”的框架。