The maintenance ofBdellovibrio at low prey density

Abstract
A mathematical model for the interaction ofBdellovibrio and its prey predicted that a relatively high prey density (7×105 cells ml−1) would be required for the establishment of an equilibrium in a mixed population [8]. The present report shows thatBdellovibrio can be maintained in a continuous culture when the prey cell density is much lower (2–5×104 cells ml−1), and closer to that of naturally occurring bacterial populations in sea waters.