@dadpad,
I have heard of mitocondrial bcteria before but was unsure where or what context.
while researching i came across this sentence on wikpedia.
"In addition to supplying cellular energy, mitochondria are involved in a range of other processes, such as
SIGNALLING...."
I therefore respectfully suggest that my guess about bacteria communicating is correct.
The artical probably goes on to suggest that the bacteria signalls in short bursts of chemical communication, like a tweet on the social network. Twitter