Surface-motility induction,attraction and hitchhiking between bacterial species promote dispersal on solid surfaces |
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| Authors: | Efrat Hagai Reut Dvora Tal Havkin-Blank Einat Zelinger Ziv Porat Stefan Schulz Yael Helman |
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| Institution: | 1.Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel;2.Microscopy Lab, The Interdepartmental Unit, The Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel;3.Flow Cytometry Unit, The Biological Service Department, The Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel;4.Institute of Organic Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany |
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| Abstract: | The ability to move on solid surfaces provides ecological advantages for bacteria, yet many bacterial species lack this trait. We found that Xanthomonas spp. overcome this limitation by making use of proficient motile bacteria in their vicinity. Using X. perforans and Paenibacillus vortex as models, we show that X. perforans induces surface motility, attracts proficient motile bacteria and ‘rides'' them for dispersal. In addition, X. perforans was able to restore surface motility of strains that lost this mode of motility under multiple growth cycles in the lab. The described interaction occurred both on agar plates and tomato leaves and was observed between several xanthomonads and motile bacterial species. Thus, suggesting that this motility induction and hitchhiking strategy might be widespread and ecologically important. This study provides an example as to how bacteria can rely on the abilities of their neighboring species for their own benefit, signifying the importance of a communal organization for fitness. |
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| Keywords: | Paenibacillus surface motility Xanthomonas |
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