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The occurrence of Epulopiscium-like Eubacteria in the intestines of surgeonfish from the US Virgin Islands, western Atlantic Ocean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2013

J. Norman Grim ,
Donna Nemeth  and
W. Linn Montgomery
J. Norman Grim*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-5640, USA
Donna Nemeth
Affiliation:
College of Science and Mathematics, Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of the Virgin Islands, St Thomas, VI 00802, US Virgin Islands
W. Linn Montgomery
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-5640, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: J.N. Grim, Box 5640, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA email: norman.grim@nau.edu
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Abstract

Several morphotypes of the relatively large bacterium, Epulopiscium sp. were collected from the intestines of three species of surgeonfish (genus: Acanthurus) from shallow waters around the island of St Thomas, in the eastern Caribbean Ocean. This was the first comprehensive study of any of these bacteria from the Atlantic Ocean. They were chemically fixed at the University on St Thomas Island, Virgin Islands and sent to the first author (J.N.G.). Each sample was examined under phase-contrast microscopy with a light microscope. Most cells contained two daughter cells that were very phase-bright; hence, were likely true endospores. They varied from very small, at the ends of the cell, to one-third the length of the cell length to overlapping at the centre. A few contained only one daughter cell or endospore. Based on their sizes, shape, and number of daughter cells, they best fit two of the morphotypes described previously.

Keywords

first reportbacterial endosporesdaughter cellsphase-contrast light microscopy
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 6 , 2013 , e79
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2013 

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