"Bacterial Prey Turns Predator in Cold Conditions"

A new study reveals that two species of bacteria reversed their predator-prey relationship after one species was grown at a lower temperature. The predatory bacterium Myxococcus xanthus switched roles with Pseudomonas fluorescens, becoming the prey when the latter was grown at a cooler temperature. The researchers found that temperature influenced the production of a lethal substance by P. fluorescens, leading to the reversal of predator-prey roles. This study sheds light on the impact of ecological factors on microbial predation and highlights the importance of historical context in evaluating predator-prey relationships.