Predatory Prokaryotes

"Predatory Prokaryotes" is a specialized book that focuses on the ecology of predation at the microbial level. It aims to raise awareness of the diverse opportunities that predation among microbes offers for studying fundamental ecological and biological concepts. The book includes comprehensive chapters on the diversity, ecology, and phylogeny of predatory prokaryotes and introduces models of predator-prey interactions among microorganisms. Additionally, it presents analyses of the impacts of predation in microbial systems. Laboratory work with Bdellovibrio-like organisms (BALOs), the most intensively studied predatory bacteria, is illustrated through reports on cultivation and the molecular techniques used to study BALOs. Furthermore, the book provides a comparative analysis of various BALO genomes and discusses the chemotactic, regulatory, and sensory circuits of these ubiquitous predatory bacteria. Finally, it addresses the unique biochemicals that serve as building blocks, as well as new proteins found in the cell walls of BALOs.