Characterization of Bacterial Communities Associated with the Seasonal Water Masses from Chuuk Island in Micronesia

Abstract

In this study, we adopted a 16S rRNA gene tag-pyrosequencing technique to investigate the bacterial communities associated with two different seasonal seawaters from Chuuk island in Micronesia. Our results revealed that 9 bacterial phyla were recovered from the seawaters, of which Proteobacteria was the most dominant group. Interestingly, the number of pathogenic bacteria was significantly increased in the month of February compared to June, suggesting that pathogenic bacteria were increasingly emerging in February. Among them, Acrobacter mytill and Vibrios were determined as predominant pathogenic bacteria in February and June water masses, respectively. In particular, three pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio campbellii, Vibrio owensii and Desulfovibrio aespoeensis, were identified as pathogens associated with coral diseases.re recovered from the seawaters, of which Proteobacteria was the most dominant group. Interestingly, the number of pathogenic bacteria was significantly increased in the month of February compared to June, suggesting that pathogenic bacteria were increasingly emerging in February. Among them, Acrobacter mytill and Vibrios were determined as predominant pathogenic bacteria in February and June water masses, respectively. In particular, three pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio campbellii, Vibrio owensii and Desulfovibrio aespoeensis, were identified as pathogens associated with coral diseases.