[Theoretical model of the predator-prey interaction kinetics between "Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus" and "escherichia coli" (author's transl)].

A theoretical model is suggested in order to explain the main features of the interaction kinetics between the micropredator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and its prey Escherichia coli. Three parametes are used in this model: the incubation time T, the fixation rate constant k, and the predator multiplication factor a. Their values can be determined from the experimental variations of the total predator concentration p, and the total density of preys (c + c'). An experimental study of the predation kinetics was performed at various temperatures (25-40 degrees C) and in media with different Ca++ and Mg++ concentrations. From the values of parameters obtained, theoretical prey and predator density curves were computer-simulated; they agree satisfactorily with the experimental curves. The parameters values are quite reasonable and in good agreement with previous findings.