Concepts and conjectures concerning predatory performance of myxobacteria

Front Microbiol. 2022 Sep 29:13:1031346. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1031346. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Myxobacteria are excellent model organisms for investigation of predator-prey interactions and predatory shaping of microbial communities. This review covers interdisciplinary topics related to myxobacterial predation and provides current concepts and challenges for determining predatory performance. Discussed topics include the role of specialized metabolites during predation, genetic determinants for predatory performance, challenges associated with methodological differences, discrepancies between sequenced and environmental myxobacteria, and factors that influence predation.

Keywords: microbial community structure; myxobacteria; predation; predator–prey; specialized metabolism.

Publication types

  • Review