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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2001, p. 434-444, Vol. 67, No. 1
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.1.434-444.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Phylogenetic Diversity of Bacteria Associated with
the Marine Sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile
Nicole S.
Webster,1
Kate J.
Wilson,1
Linda L.
Blackall,2 and
Russell T.
Hill1,3,*
Australian Institute of Marine Science,
Townsville, Queensland, Australia 48101;
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of
Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
40672; and Centre of Marine
Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute,
Baltimore, Maryland 212023
Received 20 June 2000/Accepted 19 September 2000
Molecular techniques were employed to document the microbial
diversity associated with the marine sponge Rhopaloeides
odorabile. The phylogenetic affiliation of sponge-associated
bacteria was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cloned DNA fragments.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to confirm the
presence of the predominant groups indicated by 16S rDNA analysis. The community structure was extremely diverse with representatives of the
Actinobacteria, low-G+C gram-positive bacteria, the
- and
-subdivisions of the Proteobacteria,
Cytophaga/Flavobacterium, green sulfur bacteria, green
nonsulfur bacteria, planctomycetes, and other sequence types with no
known close relatives. FISH probes revealed the spatial location of
these bacteria within the sponge tissue, in some cases suggesting
possible symbiotic functions. The high proportion of 16S rRNA sequences
derived from novel actinomycetes is good evidence for the presence of
an indigenous marine actinomycete assemblage in R.
odorabile. High microbial diversity was inferred from low
duplication of clones in a library with 70 representatives. Determining
the phylogenetic affiliation of sponge-associated microorganisms by 16S
rRNA analysis facilitated the rational selection of culture media and
isolation conditions to target specific groups of well-represented
bacteria for laboratory culture. Novel media incorporating sponge
extracts were used to isolate bacteria not previously recovered from
this sponge.
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Center of Marine
Biotechnology, Columbus Center Suite 236, 701 East Pratt St.,
Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 234 8883. Fax: (410) 234 8896. E-mail: hillr{at}umbi.umd.edu.

Contribution no. 1030 from the Australian Institute of Marine
Science; contribution no. 532 from the Center of Marine
Biotechnology.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2001, p. 434-444, Vol. 67, No. 1
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.1.434-444.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
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