Effects of Phosphorus on Interspecific Competition between two cell-size Cyanobacteria: Synechococcus sp. and Microcystis aeruginosa

Abstract

Pico-cyanobacteria and micro-cyanobacteria coexist ubiquitously in many lakes. Differences in cell size and abilities to utilize nutrients may influence their distribution patterns. In this study, Synechococcus sp. and Microcystis aeruginosa were chosen as pico- and micro-cyanobacteria, respectively. Gradient phosphorus treatments (0.002, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.25 mg P L −1 ) were designed in mono- and co-cultures. Growth curves were recorded and fitted by the Monod equation. Moreover, the interspecific competition was analyzed by the Lotka–Volterra model. When mono-cultured in lower P conditions (≤ 0.01 mg P L −1 ), Synechococcus sp. obtained much higher biomass than M. aeruginosa. But, M. aeruginosa grew faster than Synechococcus sp. in higher P groups (≥ 0.05 mg P L −1 ) (p < 0.05). Synechococcus sp. has abilities to thrive in low-phosphorus environments, whereas M. aeruginosa favored high-phosphorus conditions. In co-cultures, Synechococcus sp. strongly inhibited M. aeruginosa at each P treatment.