The Microflora of Goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, Intestines and Oyster, Crassostrea gigas, Homogenates in the Coastal Waters of Tokyo Bay, Japan

Abstract

Microflora of goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, intestines, and oyster, Crassostrea gigas, homogenates, collected at the inner part of Tokyo Bay, Japan, was investigated throughout the year. In the summer (except July) and autumn of 1993, the Vibrio-Aeromonas group predominated in the intestine of goby while its density decreased in the winter. These results suggest that the intestinal microflora of goby changed seasonally to some extent. On the other hand, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, Moraxella and Vibrio-Aeromonas group were generally predominant in oyster. In July, however, the Vibrio-Aeromonas count decreased markedly in both oyster and goby. In addition, the microflora of the ambient water was fairly similar to that of oyster. It is, therefore, suggested that microflora of goby intestines and oyster homogenates may be affected by some environmental factors.