Structural and functional diversity of free-living microorganisms in reef surface, Kra island, Thailand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coral reefs worldwide are being harmed through anthropogenic activities. Some coral reefs in Thailand remain well-preserved, including the shallow coral reefs along Kra island, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Interestingly, the microbial community in this environment remains unknown. The present study identified biodiversity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes of 0.22-30 μm in sizes and their metabolic potentials in this coral reef surface in summer and winter seasons, using 16S and 18S rRNA genes pyrosequencing.

Results

The marine microbial profiles in summer and winter seasons comprised mainly of bacteria, in phylum, particular the Proteobacteria. Yet, different bacterial and eukaryotic structures existed between summer and winter seasons, supported by low Lennon and Yu

SUBMITTER: Somboonna N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4223561 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature