Bacterial diversity in adjacent kelp-dominated ecosystems

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Abstract
Bacteria in kelp-related ecosystems on the west coast of South Africa were isolated using random sampling techniques. The percentage of bacteria forming colonies on solid media was determined. The population composition in 4 adjacent habitats was determined by morphological and physiological criteria. These data were analyzed by cluster analysis using the Bray-Curtis measure of similarity. Isolates from inshore waters were able to ferment a wide range of kelp-derived products, whereas offshore isolates had a more restricted spectrum of fermentable substrates. The similarity analysis indicates that bacteria isolated from the 4 adjacent habitats are essentially different. It is suggested that bacterial assemblages in adjacent habitats segregate into discrete populations in response to physical, chemical and biological factors.