Bacteria can develop a collective memory

[Plazma Inferno!]

Individual bacterial cells have short memories. But groups of bacteria can develop a collective memory that can increase their tolerance to stress. This has been demonstrated experimentally for the first time in a study by Eawag and ETH Zurich scientists published in PNAS.

http://www.eawag.ch/en/news-agenda/...n-koennen-kollektives-gedaechtnis-entwickeln/

Study: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/03/08/1511509113

 

[Ophiolite]

Two thoughts strike me:

1. This could have implications for the emergence of multicellular organisms. (Although I grant you the link is tenuous.)
2. I see a potential contribution of these observations to the debate (still ongoing, as far as I know) as to evolutionary selection at group level.