Summary Quorum sensing, a group behaviour coordinated by a diffusible pheromone signal and a cognate receptor, is typical of bacteria that form symbioses with plants and animals. LuxIR ‐type N ‐acyl L‐homoserine ( AHL ) quorum sensing is common in Gram‐negative Proteobacteria , and many members of this group have additional quorum‐sensing networks. The bioluminescent symbiont V ibrio fischeri encodes two AHL signal synthases:...

Experimental studies of the interaction between host and symbiont in a maturing symbiotic organ have presented a challenge for most animal–bacterial associations. Advances in the rearing of the host squid Euprymna scolopes have enabled us to explore the relationship between a defect in symbiont light production and late‐stage development ( e.g . symbiont persistence and tissue morphogenesis) by experimental colonization with s...

Summary We studied the E uprymna scolopes – V ibrio fischeri symbiosis to characterize, in vivo and in real time, the transition between the bacterial partner's free‐living and symbiotic life styles. Previous studies using high inocula demonstrated that environmental V . fischeri cells aggregate during a 3 h period in host‐shed mucus along the light organ's superficial ciliated epithelia. Under lower inoculum conditions, simil...