The many shapes of microbial detection of kin and kind

Bacteria, archaea and protists are anatomically/functionally equipped to detect close genetic relatives, as well as distantly related conspecifics. In this chapter, the authors discuss the adaptive value of a microbe\u27s ability to discriminate/recognize kin from non-kin. Because the theoretical framework of this field was initially developed for animals - and some plants, they first explain its foundations and later examine unicells\u27 examples. Emphasis is on shapes and genetics. The authors highlight the relevance of kin detection for altruistic cooperation (including among pathogens) or for the identification of cheater cells (the beneficiaries of others\u27 selfless acts, but that do not contribute to the collective well-being), and for the formation of temporary or permanent cell alliances, which are informative for understanding the evolutionary origins of multicellularity