Persistence of Genetically Engineered Erwinia carotovora in Perturbed and Unperturbed Aquatic Microcosms and Effect on Recovery of Indigenous Bacteria

Genetically engineered Erwinia carotovora persisted significantly longer in thermally perturbed microcosms (35 days) than in nonstressed microcosms (5 days). Decreased pressure of competitors and predators and increased nutrient availability were examined as the most probable reasons for greater vul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microbial ecology 1990-01, Vol.20 (1), p.11-20
Main Authors: Vjera S. Scanferlato, Lacy, George H., Cairns, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aquatic bacteria
aquatic environment
aquatic microorganisms
Bacteria
Bacterial colonization
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
competition
Ecological engineering
Environment and pollution
Environmental engineering
environmental impact
Erwinia carotovora
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic engineering
Genetically engineered microorganisms
Genetically engineered organisms behavior (microorganisms, plants, animals)
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
introduced species
Microcosms
Nutrient availability
Pectobacterium carotovorum
predation
Soil ecology
survival
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Summary:Genetically engineered Erwinia carotovora persisted significantly longer in thermally perturbed microcosms (35 days) than in nonstressed microcosms (5 days). Decreased pressure of competitors and predators and increased nutrient availability were examined as the most probable reasons for greater vulnerability of perturbed microcosms to colonization by genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs). Indigenous bacteria that competed with GEMs for the same nutrient sources (protein, cellulose, pectate) were present immediately after perturbation in densities one to two orders of magnitude lower than in unperturbed microcosms, but their populations increased to densities significantly higher than in unperturbed microcosms 10 to 15 days after inoculation. Predators of bacteria (protozoans, cladocerans, nematodes, and rotifers) were present during the experiment in unperturbed microcosms, while dense populations of bacteriovorous nanoflagellates developed in perturbed microcosms. Preemptive inoculation of perturbed microcosms with GEMs did not have a long-lasting effect on the recovery of total, proteolytic, cellulolytic, and pectolytic bacteria in perturbed microcosms, indicating the absence of competitive exclusion.
ISSN:0095-3628
1432-184X
DOI:10.1007/BF02543863