Specialized transduction occurs during the lysogenic cycle of a bacteriophage. In this cycle, the bacteriophage integrates its DNA into the bacterial chromosome, forming a prophage. Upon induction (which can occur due to stress or other factors), the prophage excises itself from the bacterial chromosome. Occasionally, this excision is imperfect, and the bacteriophage may inadvertently incorporate adjacent bacterial genes into its viral genome. When this modified bacteriophage infects another bacterium, it can transfer these bacterial genes, leading to genetic diversity.
