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Changes in the Intestinal Microbiota of Wild Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. Upon Captive Rearing

  • Host Microbe Interactions
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Abstract

The commensal microbiota plays an important role in the well-being of the host organism, and it would be worthwhile to know the tenacious communities among them. Therefore, a study was undertaken to examine the changes in constitution of the intestinal microbiota of wild fish consequential to captivity. At first, the composition of intestinal microorganisms of Atlantic cod caught from the coastal area off Bodø, Norway, was examined. Thereafter, the changes in the bacterial community of the captive fish after offering them artificial feed or subjecting them to starvation were studied. The microbiota from the intestinal contents and wall segments were analyzed quantitatively by spread plate technique and DAPI staining and qualitatively by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The study revealed that the counts of intestinal microbes in wild-caught Atlantic cod were not affected by captive rearing for 6 weeks, either when fed or when starved. However, the diversity of intestinal bacterial community was reduced in response to artificial feeding, whereas the change was restricted upon starvation.

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Acknowledgments

This research is part of the master’s thesis of the first author, funded in parts by Bodø University College and by Research Council of Norway (Project176528/V10). The authors would like to thank Morten Krogstad, Engineer, Mørkvedbukta Research Station, for procuring the experimental animals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Bodø University College, 8049, Bodø, Norway

    Anusha K. S. Dhanasiri, Monica F. Brinchmann, Kjetil Korsnes & Viswanath Kiron

  2. Institute of Marine Research, 5817, Bergen, Norway

    Laila Brunvold & Øivind Bergh

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  1. Anusha K. S. Dhanasiri
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  2. Laila Brunvold
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  3. Monica F. Brinchmann
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  6. Viswanath Kiron
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Correspondence to Viswanath Kiron.

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Fig. S1

The lanes and bands identified in the Gel W using Quantity One® program. The gel has DGGE profiles generated from intestinal bacteria of wild Atlantic cod obtained from posterior wall samples. Lanes 1 and 17: markers (M); lanes 2–6: fish soon after capture (I1–I5); lanes 7–11: kept unfed in captivity (U1–U5); lanes 12–16: reared in captivity with artificial feed (F1–F5). (PPT 200 kb)

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Dhanasiri, A.K.S., Brunvold, L., Brinchmann, M.F. et al. Changes in the Intestinal Microbiota of Wild Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. Upon Captive Rearing. Microb Ecol 61, 20–30 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-010-9673-y

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