Open access
Date
2024Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Ecological variation influences the character of many biotic interactions, but examples of predator–prey reversal mediated by abiotic context are few. We show that the temperature at which prey grow before interacting with a bacterial predator can determine the very direction of predation, reversing predator and prey identities. While Pseudomonas fluorescens reared at 32̊C was extensively killed by the generalist predator Myxococcus xanthus, P. fluorescens reared at 22̊C became the predator, slaughtering M. xanthus to extinction and growing on its remains. Beyond M. xanthus, diffusible molecules in P. fluorescens supernatant also killed 2 other phylogenetically distant species among several examined. Our results suggest that the sign of lethal microbial antagonisms may often change across abiotic gradients in natural microbial communities, with important ecological and evolutionary implications. They also suggest that a larger proportion of microbial warfare results in predation—the killing and consumption of organisms—than is generally recognized. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000656465Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
PLoS BiologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
PLOSFunding
182830 - Mechanisms and indirect effects of adaptation by actively motile populations of Myxococcus xanthus (SNF)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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