Y. Chavhan

Population size shapes trade-off dilution and adaptation to a marginal niche unconstrained by sympatric habitual conditions

This study shows larger populations of E. coli adapt better to both habitual and marginal niches, with habitual niche composition not constraining adaptation to marginal niches.

Bacteria evolve macroscopic multicellularity via the canalization of phenotypically plastic cell clustering

This study shows that bacteria can evolve macroscopic multicellularity through canalization of phenotypically plastic cell clustering, with mutations in cell wall genes enabling stable cluster formation.

An interplay of population size and environmental heterogeneity explains why fitness costs are rare

The study shows that in heterogeneous environments, small populations experience fitness costs while larger ones avoid them, and this effect is amplified when both large population sizes and environmental heterogeneity are present.

Larger bacterial populations evolve heavier fitness trade-offs and undergo greater ecological specialization

This study shows that larger bacterial populations evolve stronger fitness trade-offs and greater ecological specialization compared to smaller populations.

Adapting in larger numbers can increase the vulnerability of Escherichia coli populations to environmental changes

This study shows that larger Escherichia coli populations adapt faster to antibiotic environments but become more vulnerable to sudden environmental changes due to reduced efflux activity evolution.