biostudies-literatureKrishnan NNKFIHHorizon 20201366https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10791676biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)The symbiogenetic origin of eukaryotes with mitochondria is considered a major evolutionary transition. The initial interactions and conditions of symbiosis, along with the phylogenetic affinity of the host, are widely debated. Here, we focus on a possible evolutionary path toward an association of individuals of two species based on unidirectional syntrophy. With the backing of a theoretical model, we hypothesize that the first step in the evolution of such symbiosis could be the appearance of a linking structure on the symbiont's membrane, using which it forms an ectocommensalism with its host. We consider a commensalistic model based on the syntrophy hypothesis in the framework of coevolutionary dynamics and mutant invasion into a monomorphic resident system (evolutionary substitution).Scientific reportsGenesis of ectosymbiotic features based on commensalistic syntrophy.PMC10791676125569955708Csiszar VMori TFKrishnan NGaray JfalseGenesis of ectosymbiotic features based on commensalistic syntrophy.The symbiogenetic origin of eukaryotes with mitochondria is considered a major evolutionary transition. The initial interactions and conditions of symbiosis, along with the phylogenetic affinity of the host, are widely debated. Here, we focus on a possible evolutionary path toward an association of individuals of two species based on unidirectional syntrophy. With the backing of a theoretical model, we hypothesize that the first step in the evolution of such symbiosis could be the appearance of a linking structure on the symbiont's membrane, using which it forms an ectocommensalism with its host. We consider a commensalistic model based on the syntrophy hypothesis in the framework of coevolutionary dynamics and mutant invasion into a monomorphic resident system (evolutionary substitution).2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jan2026-03-18T14:12:01.692Z2024-10-17T19:31:30.912ZS-EPMC107916763822865110.1038/s41598-023-47211-8