Analysis of bacteria associated with Acropora solitaryensis by culture-dependent and -independent methods

Abstract

Diversity of bacteria associated with Acropora solitaryensis, the main species in Hermatypic corals of XiSha Island, was investigated using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods (denature gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE). It shows rich diversity of coral-associated bacteria with abundant novel species or genus. However, the diversity gained by the two methods was different. Among the bacteria identified by DGGE, XSLJ4 (Psychrobacter sp. KOPRI 25503), XSLJ6 (Rhizobium sp.), XSLJ11, (Uncultured Pseudomonadales), XSLJ12 (Ochrobactrum sp. Yw28) and XSLJ 13 (Ochrobactrum sp. B10B) are the predominant species, while the vibrios were the predominant ones identified by bacterial culture method.