Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/femsec/fiw241
Title (Primary) Effects of predation and dispersal on bacterial abundance and contaminant biodegradation
Author Otto, S.; Harms, H.; Wick, L.Y.
Source Titel FEMS Microbiology Ecology
Year 2017
Department UMB; iDiv
Volume 93
Issue 2
Page From fiw241
Language englisch
Keywords Prey-predator interaction; predation pressure; Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J; dispersal network; biodegradation; Pseudomonas fluorescens; phenanthrene; passive dosing
UFZ wide themes RU3;
Abstract Research into the biodegradation of soil contaminants has rarely addressed the consequences of predator–prey interactions. Here, we investigated the joint effect of predation and dispersal networks on contaminant degradation by linking spatial abundances of degrader (Pseudomonas fluorescens LP6a) and predator (Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus) bacteria to the degradation of the major soil contaminant phenanthrene (PHE). We used a laboratory microcosm with a PHE passive dosing system and a glass fiber network to facilitate bacterial dispersal. Different predator-to-prey ratios and spatial arrangements of prey and predator inoculation were used to study predation pressure effects on PHE degradation. We observed that predation resulted in (i) enhanced PHE-degradation at low predator counts (PC) compared to controls lacking predation, (ii) reduced PHE-degradation at elevated PC relative to low PC, and (iii) significant effects of the spatial arrangement of prey and predator inoculation on PHE degradation. Our data suggest that predation facilitated by dispersal networks (such as fungal mycelia) may support the build-up of an effective bacterial biomass and, hence, contaminant biodegradation in heterogeneous systems such as soil.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18549
Otto, S., Harms, H., Wick, L.Y. (2017):
Effects of predation and dispersal on bacterial abundance and contaminant biodegradation
FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 93 (2), fiw241 10.1093/femsec/fiw241