Abstract

ACOSTA, EDINSON ANDRÉS et al. Molecular Identification Of Bacterial Populations Associated To Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) From Colombian Caribbe. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.2, pp.83-96. ISSN 0120-548X.

The Queen Conch, Strombus gigas (Strombidae), is a species of great ecological and socioeconomic importance in the Caribbean area of Colombia. However, it is currently catalogued as "vulnerable"; there is limited information concerning the bacterial species associated with conch and important in the management of hatcheries for higher productivity and safety of these gastropods. In this study, we used a microbiology and molecular approach using the 16S-23S intergenic region, the 16S rDNA analysis and sequencing to determine the bacterial populations associated with Queen Conch (S. gigas). Also, the capacity to grow in marine agar and selective culture media was used to evaluate the composition of bacteria associated. The 28 total samples analysed we found the number of bacteria recovered after aerobic culture about 10ˆ6 cfu mL^-1 and most belong to the Vibrionaceae family in the order of 10ˆ5 ufc mL^-1. The molecular results of the spacer regions between the 16 and 23S genes from the different analyzed samples indicated a great complexity in the bacterial population associated to S. gigas. The sequencing of the amplicons of 16S rDNA identifies Pseudoalteromonas sp, Halomonas sp., Psycrobacter sp., Cobetia sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Vibrios sp. This suggests these bacteria can play an important role as components of the bacterial community associated to S. gigas. This information can help to improve both the management of hatcheries for higher productivity and for the implementation for the conservation processes of Colombian S. gigas.

Keywords : Strombus gigas; Queen Conch; Bacteria; 16S-23S intergenic region; 16S rDNA.

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