Identification of bacterial species growing on aged Nereocystis luetkeana and Agarum fimbriatum. in the San Juan Channel

Abstract

Do bacterial communities change as algae decays? If so, how does it change? Bacteria form many different types of relationships with algae and this study observed the effects of algal decay on bacterial abundance and composition on Nereocystis luetkeana and Agarum fimbriatum. I extracted and cultivated bacteria from algae collected in the San Juan Channel. I then counted colony numbers and monitored colony types based on morphological features. These observations are important for understanding feeding preferences of fresh vs. aged algae in nearshore organisms. If we can start to understand the relationship between decaying algae and the bacterial communities present on them, we can also start to understand the reason for food preference.