Shifts from cooperative to individual-based predation defense determine microbial predator-prey dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Predation defense is an important feature of predator-prey interactions adding complexity to ecosystem dynamics. Prey organisms have developed various strategies to escape predation which differ in mode (elude vs. attack), reversibility (inducible vs. permanent), and scope (individual vs. cooperative defenses). While the mechanisms and controls of many singular defenses are well understood, important ecological and evolutionary facets impacting long-term predator-prey dynamics remain underexplored. This pertains especially to trade-offs and interactions between alternative defenses occurring in prey populations evolving under predation pressure. Here, we explored the dynamics of a microbial predator-prey system consisting of bacterivorous flagellates (Poteriospumella lacustris) feeding on

SUBMITTER: de la Cruz Barron M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10119117 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature