Diversity of Bacterial Community in soft coral, Scleronephthya gracillima adapted in different latitude

Abstract

Coral samples were collected from six geographically distinct areas, Kenting and Green Island in Taiwan, Tatsukushi and Wakayama in Japan, and Seongsan and Seogwipo in Korea to determine if there were biogeographic differences between the latitude. The results showed total 88 species of bacteria were found in S.gracillima and they were classified to 72 genus, 41 family, 32 order, 16 class and 13 phylum. Only 4 genus of bacteria were shared in coral samples in all 6 sites and total 32 genus of bacteria were unique in coral from each sampling site. The genus Endozoicomonas, a gammaproteobacteria that is frequently found to associate with marine invertebrates comprised a greater proportion of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared in all samples.atitude. The results showed total 88 species of bacteria were found in S.gracillima and they were classified to 72 genus, 41 family, 32 order, 16 class and 13 phylum. Only 4 genus of bacteria were shared in coral samples in all 6 sites and total 32 genus of bacteria were unique in coral from each sampling site. The genus Endozoicomonas, a gammaproteobacteria that is frequently found to associate with marine invertebrates comprised a greater proportion of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared in all samples.