Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Kinetic Visualization of Single-Cell Interspecies Bacterial Interactions
Published on: August 5, 2020
Determinative factors of competitive advantage between aerobic bacteria for niches at the air-liquid interface
Kyosuke Yamamoto1, Shin Haruta, Souichiro Kato
1Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi1–1–1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–8657, Japan.
Abstract:
We focused on bacterial interspecies relationships at the air-liquid interface where the formation of pellicles by aerobes was observed. Although an obligate aerobe (Brevibacillus sp. M1-5) was initially dominant in the pellicle population, a facultative aerobe (Pseudoxanthomonas sp. M1-3) emerged and the viability of M1-5 rapidly decreased due to severe competition for oxygen. Supplementation of the medium with carbohydrates allowed the two species to coexist at the air-liquid interface. These results indicate that the population dynamics within pellicles are primarily governed by oxygen utilization which was affected by a combination of carbon sources.
Related Concept Videos
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
Microbial Interactions: Competition
Bioreactor Controls-II
Microenvironments
Ecological Niche
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
