Serratia liquefaciens swarm cells exhibit enhanced resistance to predation by Tetrahymena sp.
Tetrahymena sp. was found to graze extensively on Serratia liquefaciens MG1 swim cells (1.5-3 microns long rods) resulting in the rapid elimination of the bacterial strain. However, when S. liquefaciens cells are exposed to certain surfaces they differentiate into elongated, highly motile swarm cells and these cells were found to be grazing-resistant provided their length exceeded 15 microns.
Ammendola
A
A
Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität, München, Germany.
Geisenberger
O
O
Andersen
J B
JB
Givskov
M
M
Schleifer
K H
KH
Eberl
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D012705:Serratia / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000502:physiology*