Abstract
A rapid clustering scheme for Vibrio species was developed based on the analysis of 16S rDNA, which compriseda group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the PCR-amplified 16S rDNA. The group-specific PCR, using a specific primer Vib1F, clustered the Vibrio species into two large groups: Vib1F+ group and Vib1F- group. The PCR-RFLP, using ScaI and BlnI, further divided these groups into smaller groups. Finally, 46 Vibrio species and eight related species could be clustered into 14 groups usingthis rapid clustering method. Seasonal dynamics of the Vibrio community in Yoshimi Bay, Hibiki-nada Sea, Japan, were examined based on the rapid clustering method. In both seawater and sediments, the group comprised Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio campbellii, Vibrio carchariae, Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio natriegens and was predominant when the seawater temperature was above 20°C, whereas the group of Vibrio splendidus biotype I and Vibrio lentus was abundant when the temperature was around or below 20°C.
