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Complex population dynamics in a spatial microbial ecosystem with Physarum polycephalum

Leo Epstein1, Zeth Dubois2, Jessica Smith2

  • 1University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844, USA; Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany.

Bio Systems
|July 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The slime mold Physarum polycephalum and red yeast exhibit inverse growth dynamics. P. polycephalum may sustain itself by using yeast as a periodic food source, creating a unique feeding strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Ecology
  • Investigating microbial interactions within a defined spatial ecosystem.

Background:

  • Understanding interspecies dynamics is crucial for ecological studies.
  • Physarum polycephalum (a slime mold) and red yeast interactions are not well-documented in spatial contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the population dynamics between P. polycephalum and red yeast.
  • To quantify species interactions and growth rates over time.
  • To explore potential feeding strategies and ecological relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Week-long imaging experiments to observe species interactions.
  • Advanced image analysis using semantic segmentation for population density quantification.
  • Monitoring of growth rates and successional dynamics.

Main Results:

  • An inverse relationship was observed between the growth rates of P. polycephalum and red yeast.
  • Successional and oscillatory dynamics were captured between the two species.
  • P. polycephalum demonstrated positive growth when yeast growth was negative, and vice versa.

Conclusions:

  • P. polycephalum may employ a sustainable feeding strategy by utilizing yeast as a periodic food source via slime trails.
  • This research quantifies complex ecological dynamics in spatial ecosystems.
  • Opens new avenues for studying P. polycephalum population dynamics and interspecies relationships.
Keywords:
Microbial ecosystemPhysarum polycephalumPopulation dynamicsSlime mold

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