Contrasting bacterial strategies to coexist with a flagellate predator in an experimental microbial assemblage

The alpha- and beta-Proteobacteria in mixed assemblages adopt two specific strategies in response to flagellate predation. The alpha-Proteobacteria increase their growth rate to outgrow predator pressure. The beta-Proteobacteria produce inedible and inactive filaments. The strategies occur within 24 hr post flagellate addition. The production of biomass by the bacteria, after the introduction of flagellate predation, indicates the stimulation of cell elongation.