Fate in model ecosystems of microbial species of potential use in genetic engineering

The changes in populations of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhizobium meliloti, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were measured after their introduction into samples of sewage, lake water, and soil. Enumeration of small populations was possible because the strains used were resistant to antibiotics in concentrations and combinations such that few species native to these ecosystems were able to grow on agar containing the inhibitors. Fewer than 2 cells per ml of sewage or lake water and 25 cells per g of soil could be detected. A. tumefaciens and R. meliloti persisted in significant numbers with little decline, but S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, S. cerevisiae, and vegetative cells of B. subtilis failed to survive in samples of sewage and lake water. In sterile sewage, however, K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, S. typhimurium, A. tumefaciens, and R. meliloti grew; S. cerevisiae populations were maintained at the levels used for inoculation; and S. aureus died rapidly. In sterile lake water, the population of S. aureus and K. pneumoniae and the number of vegetative cells of B. subtilis declined rapidly, R. meliloti grew, and the other species maintained significant numbers with little or a slow decline. The populations of S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. tumefaciens, B. subtilis, and S. typhimurium declined in soil, but the first four species grew in sterile soil. It is suggested that some species persist in environments in which they are not indigenous because they tolerate abiotic stresses, do not lose viability readily when starved, and coexist with antagonists. The species that fails to survive need only be affected by one of these factors.