profiling of bacterial species associated with haddock larviculture by pcr amplification of 16S rDNA and denaturing gradient gel electrophorensis (pcr-dgge).

S. Griffiths, M. Cook, S. Vincent, M. St. Pierre, C. Lanteigne

Abstract:

A major limitation to haddock culture is the sudden and substantial elevation in mortality frequency been implicated. To further define this issue, 15 tanks of larval haddock were sampled weekly between hatching and weaning in the spring of 2000 and profiled by PCR amplification of bacterial 16S rDNA combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Profiles were generally dominated by <5 bands. A well-defined trend in bacterial representation was observed during the growth of the haddock larvae beginning with a higher diversity of bacterial species but invariably ending in succession from a putative Marinomonas sp. to singular predominance by a species with 16S rDNA homology (96% of 1437nt) to Sulfitobacter sp. The potential importance of these findings with regard to the microbial ecology of hatchery reared haddock larvae is discussed.

(RPC, 921 College Hill Road, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 6Z9, tel: (506) 452 0581, fax: (506) 452 1395, e-mail: sgriffit@rpc.unb.ca)

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