[Intracellular endosymbiose in lower animals - its dissemination and adaptation (author's transl)].

Numerous species of animal, both protozoa and metazoa, regularly with live intracellularly associated microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae). The metabolic and physiological dependence frequently goes so far that the one symbiosis partner is incapable of life without the other. Numerous mechanisms therefore take care of the adequate accomodation of the microorganisms and for the symbiosis partners to remain together from generation to generation. Selected examples show the wide dissemination of intracellular symbiosis in the animal kingdom and particular types of mutual adaptation. The cellular biological aspects permit comparisons with the behavior of pathological milcroorganisms.