From predation to function: how myxobacteria drive soil microbial community dynamics and ecological functions

ABSTRACT Predatory myxobacteria play a crucial role as key predators in the soil microbial food web, influencing microbial community structure and functions. However, the mechanisms through which myxobacteria regulate these communities and their associated ecological functions remain inadequately understood. This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of myxobacterial predation on soil bacterial composition, community dynamics, and ecological functions using a controlled soil microcosm system. The results show that the predatory myxobacterium Corallococcus sp. EGB exhibits strong predatory activity against common agricultural soil bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter lwoffii and Bacillus subtilis . In the microcosm systems, myxobacterial predation significantly altered bacterial community composition, diversity, and carbon metabolism ( P < 0.05). In soils with high microbial abundance, myxobacterial predation reduced niche breadth ( P < 0.05) and decreased the contribution of stochastic processes to community assembly. Prolonged incubation also increased extracellular enzyme activities and organic carbon mineralization rates ( P < 0.05). Additionally, myxobacterial predation disrupted several metabolic pathways and modulated the functional distribution of bacterial communities. These findings highlight the critical role of myxobacteria in shaping soil microbial community dynamics and ecological functions, providing new insights for sustainable soil management and agricultural optimization. IMPORTANCE Soil microbial communities drive nutrient cycling and carbon transformation, underpinning soil fertility and ecosystem function. Although microbial interactions are key regulators of soil processes, the ecological roles of predatory myxobacteria in modulating community composition and dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we provide preliminary evidence that predation by Corallococcus sp. EGB reshapes bacterial community composition, alters functional potential, and influences carbon cycling, particularly in soils with high microbial abundance. By linking microbial predation to community dynamics and soil biogeochemical processes, this study advances understanding of the ecological significance of predatory myxobacteria and underscores their potential role in sustainable soil management.