Mutually facilitated dispersal between the nonmotile fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and the swarming bacterium Paenibacillus vortex

摘要: In the heterogeneous environment surrounding plant roots (the rhizosphere), microorganisms both compete and cooperate. Here, we show that two very different inhabitants of rhizosphere, nonmotile fungus Aspergillus fumigatus swarming bacterium Paenibacillus vortex, can facilitate each other's dispersal. A. conidia (nonmotile asexual fungal spores) be transported by P. vortex swarms over distances at least 30 cm rates up to 10.8 mm h(-1). Moreover, rescued from niches adverse growth conditions. Potential benefit bacteria may in crossing otherwise impenetrable barriers soil: mycelia seem act as bridges allow cross air gaps agar plates. Transport was inhibited proteolytic treatment or addition purified flagella, suggesting specific contacts between flagella proteins on conidial surface. Conidia were into locations where antibiotics growth, therefore, sporulation not limited bacterial competition. other fungi, similar size those fungi fumigatus, efficiently vortex. a range another closely related rhizosphere bacterium, polymyxa, more distantly Proteus mirabilis, despite being efficient swarmers.