A chemostat model of n species of microorganisms competing for two perfectl
y complementary, growth-limiting nutrients is considered. Sufficient condit
ions are given for there to be a single winning species and for two species
to coexist, driving the others to extinction. In the case when n=3, it is
shown that every solution converges to one of the single-species or two-spe
cies steady states, and hence the dynamics of the model is completely deter
mined. The results generalize those of Hsu, Cheng, and Hubbell [SIAM J. App
l. Math., 41 (1981), pp. 422-444] as well as Butler and Wolkowicz [Math. Bi
osci., 83 (1987), pp. 1-48] who considered two species.