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Distribution, genetic richness and phage sensitivity of Vibrio spp. from coastal British Columbia
Author(s) -
Comeau André M.,
Suttle Curtis A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01299.x
Subject(s) - biology , vibrio , water column , species richness , vibrio vulnificus , genetic diversity , sediment , ecology , vibrio parahaemolyticus , diversity index , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , population , paleontology , demography , sociology
Summary This study examined the distribution, susceptibility to viral infection and genetic diversity of Vibrio spp. in the coastal waters and sediments of British Columbia during summer (July and August). Abundances of presumptive Vibrio spp. ranged from 1.5 to 346 ml −1 within the water column (1–291 m); whereas, abundances at the water–sediment interface were much higher (up to ∼3 × 10 4 Vibrio spp. cc −1 ), and decreased with sediment depth (down to 30 cm). The genetic diversity of Vibrio spp. isolates was not tied to the location from which they originated and was only influenced in a minor way by the type of environment. However, the environment had a greater effect on phage‐typing patterns. Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from environments with high abundances of cells (sediments and oysters) were generally more susceptible to viral infection than those from the water column which were highly resistant. Therefore, although Vibrio spp. were widespread in the areas investigated, the results show that there is segregation of bacterial host strains in different environments, under differing selection pressures, which ultimately will affect in situ phage production.