title: Ecology of Bacillaceae.
abstract: Members of the family Bacillaceae are among the most robust bacteria on Earth, which is mainly due to their ability to form resistant endospores. This trait is believed to be the key factor determining the ecology of these bacteria. However, they also perform fundamental roles in soil ecology (i.e., the cycling of organic matter) and in plant health and growth stimulation (e.g., via suppression of plant pathogens and phosphate solubilization). In this review, we describe the high functional and genetic diversity that is found within the Bacillaceae (a family of low-G+C% Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria), their roles in ecology and in applied sciences related to agriculture. We then pose questions with respect to their ecological behavior, zooming in on the intricate social behavior that is becoming increasingly well characterized for some members of Bacillaceae. Such social behavior, which includes cell-to-cell signaling via quorum sensing or other mechanisms (e.g., the production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, toxins, antibiotics and/or surfactants) is a key determinant of their lifestyle and is also believed to drive diversification processes. It is only with a deeper understanding of cell-to-cell interactions that we will be able to understand the ecological and diversification processes of natural populations within the family Bacillaceae. Ultimately, the resulting improvements in understanding will benefit practical efforts to apply representatives of these bacteria in promoting plant growth as well as biological control of plant pathogens.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Food Science and Technology, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mandic-Mulec
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Food Science and Technology, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Polonca
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stefanic
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Linneausborg, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan Dirk
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: van Elsas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001406:Bacillaceae / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D010944:Plants