Author
Fowler, A
Winstanley, H
Journal title
Theoretical Population Biology
DOI
10.1016/j.tpb.2018.02.001
Volume
120
Last updated
2024-03-26T19:30:22.437+00:00
Page
114-120
Abstract
We propose a model for the growth of microbial populations in the presence of a rate-limiting nutrient which accounts for the switching of cells to a dormant phase at low densities in response to decreasing concentration of a putative biochemical signal. We then show that in conditions of nutrient starvation, self-sustained oscillations can occur, thus providing a natural explanation for such phenomena as plankton blooms. However, unlike results of previous studies, the microbial population minima do not become unrealistically small, being buffered during minima by an increased dormant phase population. We also show that this allows microbes to survive in extreme environments for very long periods, consistent with observation. The mechanism provides a natural vehicle for other such sporadic outbreaks, such as viral epidemics.
Symplectic ID
825192
Favourite
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Publication type
Journal Article
Publication date
12 Feb 2018
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