Spatial behavioural ecology of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus

• Applicant: Dr. Gregory Velicer
• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: from 2004 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5427495

The geographic structure of populations and genetic relatedness among individuals both influence the nature of intra-specific social interactions. Cells of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus cooperatively engage in group motility, predation and multicellular development. The range of social compatibility between neighbouring populations in the wild, however, is unknown. Building on previous work, my group will investigate the spatial distribution of distinct M. xanthus genotypes in the soil and the relationship of this structure to both social compatibility and genetic relatedness among distinct isolates. First, clones of M. xanthus will be isolated from a square soil grid at scales ranging from centimeters to tens of meters. MultiLocus Sequence Type (MLST) fingerprints of the isolates will be determined and a map of clone relatedness across the sampling grid constructed. Subsequently, the social compatibility between paired clones sampled at multiple distance scales will be quantified in two respects- the effect of clone mixing on i) spore production during development and ii) vegetative growth rate. These assays will allow us to test the degree to which social compatibility is a function of genetic and/or spatial distance. This study represents a unique integration of spatial population genetics and behavioural ecology in a microbial social system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants