Seasonal variation of microcrustaceans and microbial flora on their surface in the overlying water of a Japanese paddy field

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Agricultural practices, such as the application of fertilizers and pesticides, differently influenced the seasonal variations of respective microcrustaceans. Microbial flora on the surface of microcrustaceans was also affected by the practices and varied depending on the kinds of microcrustaceans and the date of collection. The microbial flora on the surface of microcrustaceans was very simple, often comprised of a few types of bacteria based on the morphological characters, and their colonization sites were restricted. These results suggested the preferential colonization of selective bacteria on specific sites of host microcrustaceans. This is the first report showing the close association of microorganisms with micro crustaceans living in paddy fields.