Figure 1.

Different model systems and their applicability for experimental study of evolutionary theory. Values are a combined value for representability of nature and the ease of using the model systems in the experimental setup. The lowest score (1) is in the center and the highest score (10) is on the outside of the sphere. For now, more complex communities have the disadvantage of more complicated analyses, where not all players can be isolated and studied individually. When isolation and typing techniques become more available and affordable due to developments in the field of sequencing, the applicability of more complex communities as a model system will increase.