multiorganismal

Multiorganismal refers to a biological concept describing entities or phenomena that involve or are composed of multiple distinct organisms. This can manifest in various ways within ecological and evolutionary contexts. One primary interpretation relates to symbiotic relationships where different species live in close association, such as mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism. These associations can be so integrated that the combined entity functions as a singular unit in certain environments.

Another aspect of multiorganismal phenomena includes the concept of holobionts, which are defined as a focal host plus all of its associated microbial community. The host and its symbionts are often considered a unit of selection, meaning their collective traits are subject to evolutionary pressures. This perspective challenges traditional views of the individual organism as the sole unit of ecological and evolutionary study. Examples of multiorganismal interactions are ubiquitous, ranging from coral reefs, which are built by colonies of individual polyps and harbor vast microbial communities, to the human gut microbiome, where trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses reside and interact with the host. The study of multiorganismal systems requires interdisciplinary approaches, integrating ecology, microbiology, genetics, and evolutionary biology. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for comprehending biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the evolution of life itself.