Nematode Predatory Behavior Evolves Rapidly Through Environmental Exposure, Challenging Evolutionary Norms

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen discovered that predatory behavior in nematodes can evolve rapidly in response to environmental changes, challenging established evolutionary paradigms. The study, published in *Science Advances*, demonstrated that long-term environmental exposure significantly shapes behavior, with adaptations occurring over generations due to dietary shifts. Nematodes exposed to *Novosphingobium* bacteria, an alternative food source to *E. coli*, exhibited a complete shift to predatory behavior across all test lines within 101 generations. This contrasts with the conventional understanding of fixed predatory traits, highlighting the nematodes' ability to adapt quickly. The research also explored genetic memory related to predation, finding that up to five generations of exposure were needed for lasting behavioral changes. MicroRNAs, specifically the miR-35 family, were found to be involved in transgenerational inheritance linked to the EBAX-1 gene. Shiela Quiobe noted the unexpected nature of the discovery and the potential for further understanding of microRNA mechanisms. Dr. Ralf Sommer emphasized the importance of environmental responses for longer evolutionary periods, suggesting a greater interplay between ecology and evolution. Follow-up studies are planned to further examine the microRNAs' molecular targets and the inducing agent of the bacteria.