FIG 7.

Putative GBL gene cluster is required to maintain DSS-3’s competitive advantage against phylogenetically diverse bacteria. Log relative competitive index (log RCI) for cocultures of chosen competitors with either DSS-3 Kn (black) or the afsA mutant GCS64 (white) after 24 h of coincubation on surfaces. Log RCI was calculated as follows: log RCI = log[(DSS-3 CFU_24HR/competitor CFU_24HR)/(DSS-3 CFU_0HR/competitor CFU_0HR)]. A positive log RCI value corresponds to DSS-3 having a competitive advantage, and a negative log RCI corresponds to the competitor strain having a competitive advantage. Asterisks denote P < 0.05 using a Student t test comparing the log RCI values of competitions with DSS-3 Kn or with afsA mutant GCS64. Error bars indicate standard error.