Experimental mapping of bacterial fitness landscapes reveals eco-evolutionary fingerprints.

ABSTRACT: Understanding microbial dynamics in natural environments remains a significant challenge. As an alternative approach, studying model bacterial strains under well-defined laboratory conditions can reveal ecological niche patterns and evolutionary consequences in a controlled setting. Here, we evaluated bacterial growth dynamics to map fitness landscapes that may reflect natural processes experimentally. Six bacterial strains from a broad phylogenetic range were cultured individually across 195 distinct media, comprising 30 components, including both pure chemical compounds and natural ingredients. This approach generated 4,680 growth rate (r) and carrying capacity (K) pairs derived from growth curves spanning a broad range of nutritional conditions. Despite variations in growth profiles amo

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12457625 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature