Week 2

(Optional)

"Host-Symbiont Relationships: Understanding the Change from Guest to Pest" by Robin M. Overstreet and Jeffrey M. Lotz

2016; 3: 27–64.

Published online 2016 Jan 6. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-28170-4_2

Describe the anatomical adaptations that symbiotic organisms undergo during the transition from being beneficial guests to becoming harmful pests. How does the evolutionary trajectory of these adaptations reflect the complex interplay between hosts and symbionts? How does this apply to "Identity Crisis"?
Imagine you are a symbiotic microorganism that has recently shifted from being a helpful partner to a detrimental pest within a host organism. Write a creative narrative detailing the internal struggle you might experience and/or your interactions with the host's immune system and/or your attempts to maintain your existence while also avoiding eradication.
Analyze the role of environmental conditions in driving the shift of symbiotic relationships from mutualism to parasitism. How might the "frequent sandstorms" have contributed to the parasitic nature of the alien species in "Identity Crisis"?
Consider how the plot line of "Identity Crisis" might change if the aliens had a symbiotic relationship with the host species rather than a parasitic one. How might the story change if the two species coevolve?

You can access a PDF here.