Js. Jaworska et al., A COMMUNITY MODEL OF CILIATE TETRAHYMENA AND BACTERIA ESCHERICHIA-COLI .2. INTERACTIONS IN A BATCH SYSTEM, Bulletin of mathematical biology, 58(2), 1996, pp. 265-283
Premised on relatively simple assumptions, mathematical models like th
ose of Monod, Pirt or Droop inadequately explain the complex transient
behavior of microbial populations. In particular, these models fail t
o explain many aspects of the dynamics of a Tetrahymena pyriformis-Esc
herichia coli community. In this study an alternative approach, an ind
ividual-based model, is employed to investigate the growth and interac
tions of Tetrahymena pyriformis and E. coli in a batch culture. Due to
improved representation of physiological processes, the model provide
s a better agreement with experimental data of bacterial density and c
iliate biomass than previous modeling studies. It predicts a much larg
er coexistence domain than rudimentary models, dependence of biomass d
ynamics on initial conditions (bacteria to ciliate biomasses ratio) an
d appropriate timing of minimal bacteria density. Moreover, it is foun
d that accumulation of E. coli sized particles and E. coli toxic metab
olites has a stabilizing effect on the system.