microbivoremicrobe

Microbivoremicrobe is a term used to describe a microorganism that primarily feeds on other microorganisms. In microbial food webs, such organisms function as microbivores, converting microbial biomass into energy and nutrients for themselves and higher trophic levels. The term is descriptive rather than taxonomic, and encompasses bacteria, archaea, protists, and some microfungi that prey on or graze other microbes.

Predatory strategies vary: some bacteria, such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus, are obligate bacterial predators that invade or attach to prey cells and consume them from within or on the surface. Myxobacteria form swarms secreting lytic enzymes to digest prey and then feed on the released nutrients. Protists such as ciliates (Didinium, Halteria) and amoebae graze on bacteria and smaller algae with phagocytosis. Some predatory fungi likewise extract nutrients from microbial prey.

Ecological role and applications: Microbivorous microbes regulate microbial community composition, influence nutrient cycling, and help control pathogen populations in soil and aquatic systems. They are studied for biocontrol applications, including use of predatory bacteria to reduce harmful Gram-negative pathogens and for understanding microbial food web dynamics. However, predation can also release nutrients rapidly and may have unintended consequences if deployed in environments.

Detection and research: Researchers use microscopy, co-culture assays, and molecular methods such as metagenomics and fluorescent in situ hybridization to identify microbivorous microbes in samples. Challenges include distinguishing predation from parasitism or scavenging and accounting for cryptic interactions in complex communities.