Molecular and morphological analysis to identify myxobacterial isolates in a field study of microbial biodiversity.

摘要

Myxobacterial isolates were collected by selective techniques from two locations immediately west of Kirksville, Missouri. The first site was the established oak-hickory forest while the second site was a savanna restoration site where the established forest had been removed in 1993 and subsequently burned on four occasions. Evidence shows a significant decrease in myxobacterial species and biodiversity per bark sample at the savanna restoration site, but no change in species per soil sample when compared to the established oak-hickory forest.; Purified isolates of myxobacteria were identified initially by fruiting body morphology and compared to identification by morphological/physiological analysis, 16S rDNA analysis, and SDS PAGE of total cellular protein profiles. The second two methods proved to be the most accurate in identifying the myxobacterial isolates. SDS PAGE gel pictures gave resolution at the species level not available with 16S rDNA analysis, but could not match 16S rDNA for genus level identification.