Sustainable diversity of phage-bacteria systems

Abstract

Bacteriophages are central to microbial ecosystems for balancing bacterial populations and promoting evolution by applying strong selection pressure. Here, we review some of the known aspects that modulate phage–bacteria interaction in a way that naturally promotes their coexistence. We focus on the modulations that arise from structural, physical, or physiological constraints. We argue they should play roles in many phage–bacteria systems providing sustainable diversity.