Characterization of the bacterial community associated with the surface and mucus layer of whiting (Merlangius merlangus)

Smith, C. J. , Danilowicz, B. S. and Meijer, W. G. (2007) Characterization of the bacterial community associated with the surface and mucus layer of whiting (Merlangius merlangus). FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 62(1), pp. 90-97. (doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2007.00369.x) (PMID:17692096)

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Abstract

The bacterial community inhabiting the mucus layer and surface of whiting was examined to determine whether the bacteria present are a reflection of the surrounding water or an indigenous bacterial flora is present. The outer mucus, mouth mucus and gut of four whiting harvested from a site in the Irish Sea and the surrounding water were examined by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (tRFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and clone library construction. The water community was the most diverse, with only a small number of shared water-mucus phylotypes present. The bacterial flora associated with the outer mucus layer were more diverse than that of the mouth mucus and gut. All three mucus layers were characterized by the presence of a dominant phylotype, identified as clone wom-1, highly similar to Photobacterium iliopiscarium. In addition to other Photobacterium phylotypes, members of the CFB and Clostridia groups were also detected. Subsequently, whiting from 11 different sites along the east and south coast of Ireland were compared by tRFLP analysis. Strikingly, the mucus layer of whiting at all sites was characterized by the presence and dominance of a TRF corresponding to the clone wom-1 which was virtually absent from the water column.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This research was supported in part by a grant to W.G.M. and B.S.D. from University College Dublin.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Smith, Professor Cindy
Authors: Smith, C. J., Danilowicz, B. S., and Meijer, W. G.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:FEMS Microbiology Ecology
Publisher:Blackwell
ISSN:0168-6496
ISSN (Online):1574-6941
Published Online:10 August 2007

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