Improving dryland maize productivity and water efficiency with heterotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria via nitrification and cytokinin activity

A two-year field experiment conducted under dryland conditions in semi-humid and drought-prone regions of China aimed to assess the effect of ammonia-oxidizing bacterial on maize water use efficiency and yield.A heterotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(HAOB)strain S2_8_1 was used.Six treatments were applied:(1)no irrigation+HAOB strain(DI),(2)no irrigation+blank culture medium(DM),(3)no irrigation control(DCK),(4)irrigation+HAOB(WI),(5)irrigation+blank culture medium(WM),and(6)irrigation control(WCK).Results revealed that HAOB treatment increased maize growth,yield,and water use efficiency over controls,regardless of whether the year was wet or dry.This improvement was attributed to the accelerated nitrification in the rhizosphere soil due to HAOB inoculation,which subsequently led to increased levels of leaf cytokinins.Overall,these findings suggest that HAOB inoculation holds promise as a strategy to boost water use efficiency and maize productivity in dryland agriculture.

Screening and Toxicity Determination of Intestinal Aerobic Bacteria in 2^(nd) instar Larvae of Dendrolimu Kikuchii

[ Objective ] The paper was to screen intestinal aerobic bacteria from 2nd instar larvae of Dendrolimu kikuchii and determine its toxicity. [ Method ] The intestinal samples of 2nd instar larvae of D. kikuchii were diluted in gredient and coated on plates to isolate strains, and a total of 5 strains of aerobic bacteria were isolated. With bacterial genomic DNA as template, the universal primers of bacterial 16S rDNA （27f and 1 492r） were used to amplify the template, 4 restriction enzymes Hae Ⅲ and Hind Ⅲ, Hinf Ⅰ and Taq Ⅰ were used to carry out ARDRA polymorphism analysis on PCR products. [ Result] Clustering map analysis showed that 5 strains of aerobic bacteria clustered into two different taxonomic operating units （OTU） in 95% similarity level, this indicated that the genetic diversity level of intestinal aerobic bacteria in 2nd instar larvae of D. kikuchii was relatively low. The indoor toxicity test showed that the death peaks of insects killed by intestinal bacteria were during 4 - 10 d, the insecticidal effect of strain 4 was the best with corrected mortality rate of 53.57% at 12 d. [ Conclusion] The paper provided reference for control of D. kikuchii.

Effects of Transgenic DREB Soybean Dongnong 50 on the Diversity of Soil Ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria

ObjectiveThe aim was to understand the effects of transgenic DREB soybean on the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. MethodThe diversity of the cto gene in pot-planted transgenic soybean and near-isogenic non-transgenic soybean under normal water condition and drought stress was analyzed by PCR-DGGE and sequence analysis. ResultRhizosphere community diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria showed no difference between the treatments of transgenic soybean and its non-transgenic isolines, moreover transgenic soybean under normal water condition and drought stress improved the diversity of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the harvest time. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the sequences of excised DGGE bands were closely related to members of the genus Nitrosovibrio and Nitrosospira of the β-subclass Proteobacteria. ConclusionTransgenic DREB soybean has no adverse impact on soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria and propionic acid on conservation characteristics,aerobic stability and in vitro gas production kinetics and digestibility of whole-crop corn based total mixed ration silage

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria and propionic acid on the fermentation quality, aer- obic stability and in vitro gas production kinetics and digestibility of whole-crop corn based totalmixed ration （TMR） silage. Total mixed ration was ensiled with four treatments： （1） no additives （control）; （2） an inoculant （Lactobacillus plantarum） （L）; （3） propionicacid （P）; （4） propionic acid＋lactic acid bacteria （PL）. All treatments were ensiled in laboratory-scale silos for 45 days, and then subjected to an aerobic stability test for12 days. Further, four TMR silages were incubated in vitro with buffered rumen fluid to study in vitro gas production kinetics and digestibility. The results indicated that all TMR silages had good fermentation characteristics with low pH （〈3.80） and ammonia nitrogen （NH3-N） contents, and high lactic acid contents as well as Flieg points. Addition of L further improved TMR silage quality with more lactic acid production. Addition of P and PL decreased lactic acid and NH3-N contents of TMR silage compared to the control （P〈0.05）. After 12 days aerobic exposure, P and PL silages remained stable, but L and the control silages deteriorated as indicated by a reduction in lactic acid and an increase in pH, and numbers of yeast. Compared to the control, addition of L had no effects on TMR silage in terms of 72 h cumulative gas production, in vitro dry matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, net energy for lactation and short chain fatty acids, whereas addition of PL significantly （P〈0.05） increased them. L silage had higher （P〈0.05） in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility than the control silage. The results of our study suggested that TMR silage prepared with whole-crop corn can be well preserved with or without additives. Furthermore, the findings of this study suggested that propionic acid is compatible with lactic acid bacteria inoculants, and when used together, although they reduced lactic acid production of TMR silage, they improved aerobic stability and in vitro nutrients digestibility of TMR silage.

Community analysis of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge of eight wastewater treatment systems

We investigated the communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in activated sludge collected from eight wastewater treatment systems using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP）, cloning, and sequencing of the α-subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase gene （amoA）. The T-RFLP fingerprint analyses showed that different wastewater treatment systems harbored distinct AOB communities. However, there was no remarkable difference among the AOB T- RFLP profiles from different parts of the same system. The T-RFLP fingerprints showed that a full-scale wastewater treatment plant （WWTP） contained a larger number of dominant AOB species than a pilot-scale reactor. The source of influent affected the AOB community, and the WWTPs treating domestic wastewater contained a higher AOB diversity than those receiving mixed domestic and industrial wastewater. However, the AOB community structure was little affected by the treatment process in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the cloned amoA genes clearly indicated that all the dominant AOB in the systems was closely related to Nitrosomonas spp. not to Nitrosospira spp. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha and Nitrosomonas communis clusters were found in all samples, while members of Nitrosomonas europaea cluster occurred in some systems.

Analysis of cultivable aerobic bacterial community composition and screening for facultative sulfate-reducing bacteria in marine corrosive steel

Anaerobic, aerobic, and facultative bacteria are all present in corrosive environments. However, as previous studies to address corrosion in the marine environment have largely focused on anaerobic bacteria, limited attention has been paid to the composition and function of aerobic and facultative bacteria in this process. For analysis in this study, ten samples were collected from rust layers on steel plates that had been immersed in seawater for diff erent periods (i.e., six months and eight years) at Sanya and Xiamen, China. The cultivable aerobic bacterial community structure as well as the number of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were analyzed in both cases, while the proportion of facultative SRB among the isolated aerobic bacteria in each sample was also evaluated using a novel approach. Bacterial abundance results show that the proportions are related to sea location and immersion time;abundances of culturable aerobic bacteria (CAB) and SRB from Sanya were greater in most corrosion samples than those from Xiamen, and abundances of both bacterial groups were greater in samples immersed for six months than for eight years. A total of 213 isolates were obtained from all samples in terms of CAB community composition, and a phylogenetic analysis revealed that the taxa comprised four phyla and 31 genera. Bacterial species composition is related to marine location;the results show that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, accounting for 98.13% of the total, while Bacillus and Vibrio were the dominant genera, accounting for 53.06% of the total. An additional sixfacultative SRB strains were also screened from the isolates obtained and were found to encompass the genus Vibrio (four strains), Staphylococcus (one strain), and Photobacterium (one strain). It is noteworthy that mentions of Photobacterium species have so far been absent from the literature, both in terms of its membership of the SRB group and its relationship to corrosion.

Impact of acetochlor on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in microcosm soils

Acetochlor is an increasingly used herbicide on corn in North China. Currently, the effect of acetochlor on soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) communities is not well documented. Here, we studied the diversity and community composition of AOB in soil amended with three concentrations of acetochlor (50, 150, 250 mg/kg) and the control (0 mg acetochlor/kg soil) in a microcosm experiment by PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) and the phylogenetic analysis of excised ...

Abundance of general aerobic heterotrophic bacteria in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea and their adaptation to temperature

The abundance of general aerobic heterotrophic bacteria(GAB) from the water and sediment in the Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea was determined by using petri dish cultivation and counting method. The abundance of GAB among the different sea areas, sampling sites, layers of sediments surveyed and adaptability to differential temperatures was studied. The result obtained showed that: the occurrence percentage of GAB in the surface water was higher than that in sediment, but the abundance was only 0.17% of sediment. The occurrence percentage of GAB in surficial layer of sediment was higher than that in the other layers. The occurrence percentage of GAB in surficial layer of sediment was higher than that in the other layers. The occurrence percentage, abundance and its variation of GAB in the Bering Sea were higher than that in the Chukchi Sea respectively. The average value of the abundance in the all sediment surveyed was 3166.3×10 2 CFU·g -1(wet.). The abundance of GAB in sediment showed a trend: roughly higher in the lower latitudinal area than higher latitude. The results from temperature test mean that: the majority of bacteria tested were cold-adapted ones, minority might be mesophilic bacteria. The results indicated that, Arctic ocean bacteria had a stronger adaptability to environmental temperature.

Phylogenetic analysis of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria and their relatives based on farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene

The study aims to reveal phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship between aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria（AAnPB） and their relatives,anaerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria（AnAnPB） and nonphototrophic bacteria（NPB,which had high homology of 16S rDNA gene with AAnPB and fell into the same genus）,and validate reliability and usefulness of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase（FPPS） gene for the phylogenetic determination.FPPS genes with our modified primers and 16S rDNA genes with general primers,were amplified and sequenced or retrieved from GenBank database.In contrast to 16S rDNA gene phylogenetic tree,AAnPB were grouped into two clusters and one branch alone with no intermingling with NPB and AnAnPB in the tree constructed on FPPS.One branch of AAnPB,in both trees,was located closer to outgroup species than AnAnPB,which implicated that some AAnPB would be diverged earlier in FPPS evolutionary history than AnAnPB and NPB.Some AAnPB and NPB were closer located in both trees and this suggested that they were the closer relatives than AnAnPB.Combination codon usage in FPPS with phylogenetic analysis,the results indicates that FPPS gene and 16S rRNA gene have similar evolutionary pattern but the former seems to be more reliable and useful in determining the phylogenic and evolutionary relationship between AAnPB and their relatives.This is the first attempt to use a molecular marker beside 16S rRNA gene for studying the phylogeny of AAnPB,and the study may also be helpful in understanding the evolutionary relationship among phototrophic microbes and the trends of photosynthetic genes transfer.

Characterization of Bacterial Community,Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria,and Nitrospira During the Operation of a Commercial-Scale Recirculating Aquaculture System for Culturing Pufferfish Takifugu rubripes

We investigated the changes in communities of bacteria,ammonia-oxidizing bacteria,and Nitrospira during the operation of a pufferfish Takifugu rubripes recirculating aquaculture system by using high-throughput DNA sequencing.Differences in bacterial communities were observed at days 1-32,47-62 and 78-93 of biofilm development by using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing.The relative abundance of Proteobacteria(Gammaproteobacteria)increased,while that of Bacteroidetes(Flavobacteria)decreased.The proportions of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospina ranged from 0.02%to 0.30%and from 0.02%to 0.83%,respectively.Ammonia monooxygenase gene pyrosequencing revealed that the top three operational taxonomic units were related to Nitrosomonas aestuarii(17.5%-61.1%),uncultured beta proteobacterium clone B67S-54(1.9%-45.2%),and uncultured bacterium clone AZPa8(3.6%-24.7%).Nitrite oxidoreductase gene pyrosequencing revealed that the relative abundance of the dominant strain Nitrospira sp.Ecomares 2.1 increased,but that of the abundant species Nitrospira marina decreased.Our results demonstrated that the communities of bacteria,ammonia-oxidizing bacteria,and Nitrospira were changing during the operation of the pufferfish recirculating aquaculture system.

Nitrification intensity and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea in different wetland plant rhizosphere soils

In order to explore the nitrogen removal process in constructed wetlands(CW s),the moisture,ammonia nitrogen(NH4+-N),nitrate nitrogen(NO3"-N)and nitrification intensity in three wetland plant rhizosphere soils(Acorns calamus,Typha orientalis,Iris pseudacorus)were investigated at a relatively normal temperature range of15to25The relative abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB)and ammonia-oxidizing archaea(AOA)were also achieved using fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH).It is found that T.orientalis achieves the highest nitrification intensity of2.03m g(h?kg)while the second is I.pseudacorrs(1.74m g/(h?kg)),and followed by A.calamus(1.65m g/(h?kg))throughout the experiment.FISH reveals that the abundance of bacteria(1010g_1wet soil)is higher than that of archaea(109g_1wet soil),and AOBare the dominant bacteria in the ammonia oxidation process.The abundance of AOB in te rhizosphere soils from high to low T.orientalis(1.88x1010g"1),I pseudacorus(1.23x1010g1),A.calamus(5.07x109g"1)while the abundance of AOA from high to low ae I.pseudacorus(4.00x109g1),A.calamus(3.52x109g"1),T.orientalis(3.48x109g"1).The study provides valuable evidence of plant selection for nitrogen removal in CWs.

Community structure of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in algae-and macrophyte-dominated areas in Taihu Lake,China

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria(AAPB)repre sent a major group of bacterioplankton assemblages in many water systems and some are assumed to be closely associated with phytoplankton.However,studies on relationships between AAPB and cyanobacterial blooms are in scarcity.The dynamics of the abundance and diversity of AAPB was compared based on pufM gene in Meiliang Bay(featured by cyanobacterial blooms)and East Bay(featured by macrophyte)of Taihu Lake,a shallow subtropical lake in the East China plain.AAPB abundance was not significantly different between the two sites,and they were positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon(DOC)concentration.The ratios of AAPB to total bacteria varied from 3.4%to 11.5%and peaked in winter in both site s.No significant differences of AAPB community compositions were detected between the two sites,but there was a separation between warm seasons(June,August,and October)and cold seasons(December,February,and April).Rhizobiales and Limnohabitans-like pufM sequences were significantly contributors for the difference between two seasons,and specially enriched in cold seasons.Chlorophyll a(Ch1 a)and DOC were the most significant variables influencing the AAPB community structure.Furthermore,Porphyrobacter and Rhodospirillales-like pufM sequences were positively correlated with Ch1 a,indicating potential influence of cyanobacterial blooms on these AAPB taxa.These results suggested that diverse AAPB ecotypes coexisted in Taihu Lake,and their ecological role in carbon cycling in the lake may not be ignored.

Distribution characteristics of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the Typha latifolia constructed wetlands using fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH)

A molecular biology method, fluorescent in situ hybridization（FISH）, in which the pre-treatment was improved in allusion to the media of the constructed wetlands（CW）, e.g. the soil and the grit, was used to investigate the vertical distribution characteristics of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria（AOB） quantity and the relation with oxidation-reduction potential（ORP） in the Typha latifolia constructed wetlands under three different Ioadings in summer from May to September. Results showed that the quantity of the AOB decreased in the Typha latifolia CW with the increase of vertical depth. However, the AOB quantity was 2-4 times the quantity of the control in the root area. Additionally, ORP in the rhizosphere was found to be higher than other areas, which showed that Typha latifolia CW was in an aerobic state in summer when using simulated non-point sewage at the rural area of Taihu Lake in China and small town combined sewage.

Isolation of aerobic bacteria from ticks infested sheep in Iraq

Objective:To highlight the presence of aerobic bacteria in live ticks infested sheep,in Diyala Governorate,Iraq.Methods:One hundred and thirty adult alive ticks were picked up from sheep which were reared in different farms in Diyala Governorate,Iraq,during the period from November 2012 to May 2013.Ticks were classified in the Natural History Museum in Baghdad.They were dissected aseptically for extraction of the salivary gland and midgut.The removed tissue from each organ was inoculated in buffer peptone water(1%)and incubated for 2 h at 37 °C,to maintain weak and/or injured bacterial cells,then transmitted to nutrient broth incubated at 37 °C for 18 h.Culturing was done on three solid bacteriological media(nutrient,blood and McConkey agars),and then incubated at37 ℃ for 24 h.Bacterial identification was performed by using multiple biochemical tests and API-20 strips.Data were analyzed by using Statistical Analysis System version 9.1,2010.Chi-square test was used for comparison at significant level of P ≤ 0.05.Results:Two species of ticks were identified[Rhipicephalus(Boophilus) annulatus and Hyalomma turanicum].High bacterial isolation rate was observed(483 isolates).A significant high isolation rate was recorded from Rhipicephalus annulatus(63.14%).Six bacterial species were identified[Escherichia coli(28.36%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(18.01%),Bacillus cereus(14.69%),Staphylococcus aureus(13.66%),Citrobacter freundii(13.04%),and Enterobacter species(12.21%)].Also the high bacterial isolation rates were recorded in the temperate months(November,March and April);these coincided with high reproductive performance of ticks.Conclusions:The high isolation rate of aerobic pathogens from ticks might reflect the active contribution of this arthropod in environmental contamination and increase the probability of transmitting bacterial pathogens to their hosts.

Molecular Characterization of Aerobic Heterohophic Bacteria Isolated from Petroleum Hydrocarbon Polluted Brackish Waters of Bodo Creeks, Rivers State Nigeria

Surface water sources in the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria are highly susceptible to pollution by petroleum hydrocarbons and so it is important to understand the microbial diversity of such ecosystems. Water and sediment samples were collected between April-August, 2013 from Bodo creeks and taken to Environmental Microbiology laboratory of University of Portharcourt for analysis. A total of thirty aerobic heterotrophic bacterial strains isolated ranged from 3.0 - 7.0 × 104 cfu for surface water and 1.6 - 5.6 × 104 cfu for sediment samples of Bodo creek using serial dilution and spread plate technique. Pure cultures of bacteria were obtained on the basis of their morphological characteristics and subjected to biochemical tests and further classified on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The DNA was isolated from size fractionated samples and the diversity of bacteria in each fraction was studied using PCR amplification of partial 16S rRNA. The sequences were submitted to NCBIGen bank for identification and assigning of accession numbers. The isolated aerobic heterotrophic bacteria belong to the families of Enterobacteriaceae, Bacilliceae, Alcaligenaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Flavobactericeae and Planococcaceae.

Variation of Potential Nitrification and Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterial Community with Plant-Growing Period in Apple Orchard Soil

In this study, we investigated the potential nitrification and community structure of soil-based ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in apple orchard soil during different growth periods and explored the effects of environmental factors on nitrification activity and AOB community composition in the soil of a Hanfu apple orchard, using a culture-dependent technique and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）. We observed that nitrification activity and AOB abundance were the highest in November, lower in May, and the lowest in July. The results of statistical analysis indicated that total nitrogen （N） content, NH4＋-N content, NO3-N content, and pH showed significant correlations with AOB abundance and nitrification activity in soil. The Shannon-Winner diversity, as well as species richness and evenness indices （determined by PCR-DGGE banding patterns） in soil samples were the highest in September, but the lowest in July, when compared to additional sampled dates. The DGGE fingerprints of soil-based 16S rRNA genes in November were apparently distinct from those observed in May, July, and September, possessing the lowest species richness indices and the highest dominance indices among all four growth periods. Fourteen DGGE bands were excised for sequencing. The resulting analysis indicated that all AOB communities belonged to the 13-Proteobacteria phylum, with the dominant AOB showing high similarity to the Nitrosospira genus. Therefore, soil-based environmental factors, such as pH variation and content of NHa＋-N and NO3--N, can substantially influence the abundance of AOB communities in soil, and play a critical role in soil-based nitrification kinetics.

Geographical distribution of general aerobic heterotrophic bacteria in surficial sediments from the Chukchi Sea and Canadian Basin

This paper determined the abundance of General Aerobic heterotrophic Bacteria （GAB） in surficial sediments from the Chukchi Sea and the Canadian basin by using MPN and discussed their geographical distribution. The result shows that the determination percentages of the GAB were high, even till 100 percentage. The abundance range and averages of GAB for 4℃and 25℃ were from 4.00 × 10^2 to 2.40× 10^6 , 1.71×10^6 ind.·g^-1 （wet sample ） and from 2.40 ×10^5 to 2.40×10^7 , 1.10×10^7 ind. ·g^-1 （wet sample ） respectively. Not only the abundance range but also the averages of GAB in 25℃ were higher than that in 4℃. The abundance of GAB in sediments show a tendency that it is roughly greater in the lower latitudinal area than in the higher latitudinal area. The abundance of GAB increased from east to west as for the longitudinal distribution. With the water depth increasing, the abundance of GAB at 4℃ decreased, but GBA at 25℃ is not changed obviously with water depth. It seems that warmer circumstantial temperature is more suitable for some GAB.

Diversity and ecological assembly process of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in a low irradiation area,Three Gorges Reservoir

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria(AAPB)are significant bacterial groups in aquatic ecosystems,known for their rapid growth and photoheterotrophic characteristics.However,the distribution and ecological assembly process of AAPB in low irradiation freshwater basins remain unclear,warranting further investigation.In this study,we present the diversity,abundance,spatial variations,ecological process,and community interaction of AAPB in sediment of Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR)under low irradiation.Our findings demonstrate the dominant genera of AAPB community that exist in the TGR area also are appeared in different waters,with some regional preference.Moreover,the concentration of pufM gene,an indicator for AAPB,maintains a consistently high numerical level ranging from(2.21±0.44)×10^(4)to(9.98±0.30)×10^(7)gene copies/g.Although solar irradiation is suggested as the major factor affecting AAPB,it remains unclear whether and how AAPB differ between regions due to varying solar irradiation levels.Our results show spatial differences between total bacteria and AAPB communities,with significant differences observed only in AAPB.Geographical and environmental factor contributed less than 10%to the spatial difference of community,with sediment type and environmental factors being the key factors influencing microbial community structure.The stochastic process plays a dominant role in the aggregation and replacement of AAPB communities,among which the most contribution is dispersal limitation.For AAPB network,Yoonia and Gemmobacter are the hubs for modules.Those results valuable insights into the AAPB communities in TGR with low irradiation.

Diversity of the aerobic anoxygenic phototrophy gene pufM in Arctic and Antarctic coastal seawaters

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic（AAP） bacteria serve important functions in marine carbon and energy cycling because of their capability to utilize dissolved organic substrates and harvest light energy.AAP bacteria are widely distributed in marine environments,and their diversity has been examined in marine habitats.However,information about AAP bacteria at high latitudes remains insufficient to date.Therefore,this study determined the summer AAP bacterial diversity in Arctic Kongsfjorden and in the Antarctic coastal seawater of King George Island on the basis of puf M,a gene that encodes a pigment-binding protein subunit of the reaction center complex.Four puf M clone libraries were constructed,and 674 positive clones were obtained from four investigated stations（two in Kongsfjorden and two in the Antarctic Maxwell Bay）.Arctic clones were clustered within the Alphaproteobacteria,whereas Antarctic clones were classified into the Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria classes.Rhodobacteraceae-like puf M genes dominated in all samples.In addition,sequences closely related to puf M encoded on a plasmid in Sulfitobacter guttiformis were predominant in both Arctic and Antarctic samples.This result indicates the transpolar or even global distribution of puf M genes in marine environments.Meanwhile,differences between the Arctic and Antarctic sequences may prove polar endemism.These results indicate the important role of Rhodobacteraceae as AAP bacteria in bipolar coastal waters.

Environmental control of growth and BChl a expression in an aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium, Erythrobacter longus (DSMZ6997)

anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria （AAPB）, which form a unique functional group of heterotrophic bacteria, have the abilit,to utilize light energy. The impact of carbon source and light intensity on the growth and bacteriochlorophyn a （ BChl a） expression of a typical strain of AAPB, Erythrobacter longus strain DSMZ6997 was examined during batch culture and continuous culture. The results showed that the expression of BChl a in DSMZ6997 was regulated by both carbon-source and light conditions, and was stimulated by low availability of carbon but inhibited by light to a certain extent at 300 lx and completely at 1 500 lx. In contrast, cell abundance, and even cell size of this strain, was substantially enhanced under light/dark cycle cultivation conditions over dark conditions, indicating the promotion of growth by light. These results led to the conclusion that utilization of light through BChl a helps AAPB to survive under carbon stress, while light at high intensity is harmful to the synthesis of BChl a in AAPB.