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Predators and nutrient availability favor protozoa-resisting bacteria in aquatic systems
A Andersson1,2, J Ahlinder3, P Mathisen4
1Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden. agneta.andersson@umu.se.
Scientific Reports
|June 1, 2018
Summary
Protozoa resistance in bacteria is driven by nutrient levels and predation. Perturbations favor specific protozoa-resisting bacteria (PRB) like Pseudomonas, while predation boosts Mycobacterium abundance in aquatic systems.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Bacterial protozoa resistance strategies are crucial for pathogenic bacteria evolution.
- Ecological mechanisms driving protozoa-resistance selection in aquatic bacteria remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nutrient availability and predation pressure on protozoa-resisting bacteria (PRB) selection.
- To understand the role of microbial food web dynamics and physicochemical factors in PRB abundance.
Main Methods:
- An enrichment-dilution experiment was conducted in laboratory microcosms with natural lake water.
- Protozoa-resisting bacteria (PRB) abundance was monitored using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.
- Joint species distribution modeling analyzed microbial food web dynamics and physicochemical variables.
Main Results:
- Predation pressure positively influenced the abundance of the PRB genus Mycobacterium.
- Perturbation (enrichment and dilution) favored the PRB genus Pseudomonas, which dominated disturbed communities.
- PRB with diverse ecological strategies are found in high/intermediate nutrient waters and post-disturbance.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient levels and predation pressure significantly shape the selection of PRB in aquatic environments.
- Disturbances and predation can lead to the dominance of specific PRB genera with distinct ecological strategies.
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