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Is bioconvection enhancing bacterial growth in quiescent environments?
Author(s) -
Jánosi Imre M.,
Czirók András,
Silhavy Dániel,
Holczinger András
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1046/j.1462-2920.2002.00328.x
Subject(s) - biology , population , bacillus licheniformis , bacillus subtilis , aeration , bacterial growth , ecology , bacteria , demography , sociology , genetics
Summary Bioconvection is an intriguing pattern‐forming phenomenon driven by the swimming activity of various aquatic microorganisms. It is generally assumed that bioconvection has a positive effect on the entire microbial population by carrying oxygen into deep layers of non‐aerated suspensions. In order to examine the presence of such a biological benefit, we analysed the correlation between bioconvective pattern formation and population growth of several Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis strains under non‐aerated conditions. Bioconvection is a robust phenomenon, we observed its development in numerous cultures of various strains and growth phases. Nevertheless, evaluation of the data has not revealed detectable positive effects on population growth, questioning the potential biological relevance of bioconvection in natural habitats.