Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the complex seaweed-bacteria associations in nature may provide information on the fitness of an invasive host. This may require the use of different approaches. In this study, we employed, for the first time, the Biolog system-Ecoplates™ to analyze the functional diversity of the culturable fraction of the bacterial assemblages associated with the surface of Caulerpa cylindracea, the invasive seaweed of the Mediterranean Sea. Seaweed samples were collected at five sites across the basin. A high similarity in the bacterial activity, expressed as Average Well Color Development (AWCD), among the study sites was observed. Culturable heterotrophic bacteria at 22 °C showed mean values ranging from 1.4 × 10(5) CFU g(-1) at Porto Cesareo (Ionian Sea, Italy) to 5.8 × 10(6) CFU g(-1) at Othonoi, Diapontine Island (Ionian Sea, Greece). The analysis of the DNA sequences on isolated bacteria demonstrated that the genera Shewanella, Marinobacter, Vibrio, Granulosicoccus and the family Rhodobacteraceae are consistently present on C. cylindracea, irrespective of its geographical origin. The present study provided new insights into the complex association between bacteria and this algal species, suggesting a specific composition and function of the associated culturable bacteria across the basin.

Autore Pugliese

• Alifano Pietro , Fraschetti Simonetta

Tutti gli autori

• Stabili L. , Rizzo L. , Pizzolante G. , Alifano P. , Fraschetti S.

Titolo volume/Rivista

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Anno di pubblicazione

2017

ISSN

0141-1136

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

1

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

28/04/2018

Numero di citazioni Scopus

Non Disponibile

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile