Characterization of bacterial community composition in rotifer cultures under unexpected growth suppression

Abstract

Unexpected growth suppression is common in rotifer mass culturing, and bacteria present in culture tanks are believed to be one of the main causes. We used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene finger-printing method to determine the bacterial community composition in water and that in association with rotifers present in tanks when rotifer growth was suppressed. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes representing Nautella sp. and Marinomonas sp. were identified as dominant in control tanks with good rotifer growth. In contrast, the bacterial community composition was more diverse at start-up in tanks where rotifer growth was suppressed. The community composition changed during rotifer cultivation, and bacterial sequences representative of Ruegeria sp. and Hyphomonas sp. were dominant when rotifer growth recovered. These findings indicate that the bacterial community composition varied according to the rotifer growth conditions and suggest that the initial microbial flora present in the culture water may cause rotifer growth suppression.