Interaction of Bdellovibrio with Its prey in mixed microbial populations

The interaction of Bdellovibrio with its prey can be affected by the presence of other microorganisms regardless of whether they serve as a prey for the bdellovibrios. This was shown in a system in which the fate of one prey could be followed in mixed bacterial populations thanks to a specific trait, bioluminescence. The attacking bdellovibrio causes decay of bioluminescence, and the rate of light decay of the population indicates the rate at which the luminous bacteria are attacked. Using this system it was found that different bacteria affected the predatorprey interaction in different ways: some "competed" with the original prey for the predator; others enhanced the activity of the predator toward the original prey, and others inhibited it. The significance of these findings in relation to the distribution and activity of Bdellovibrio in the natural ecosystem is discussed.