Role of protozoa in the regulation of enteric bacteria populations in seawater

Abstract

Removal of two enteric bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, was studies in a marine ecosystem. Protozoa were the main factor responsible for eliminating enteric bacteria from this marine ecosystem and these protozoa belonged to the manoplankton. Protozoa grazed upon both antral and ecosystems because natural bacteria can support protozoa growth. We observed and exponential relationship between mortality rate of enteric bacteria and temperature in the presence of natural microflora. According to our findings, this effect of temperature upon enteric bacteria was exerted via the protozoa, and a model which summarizes the relationships between enteric bacteria, protozoa, natural bacteria and temperature, is proposed.