Isolation and Characterization of an Anaerobic Bacterium, Eubacterium tarantellus sp.nov., Associated with Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus) Mortality in Biscayne Bay, Florida

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Abstract
An asporogenous, gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium was isolated in pure culture from the brains of numerous dead and moribund striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) from Biscayne Bay, Florida. Biochemical characterization confirmed that it was a new species and has been named Eubacterium tarantellus (ATCC 29255). All isolates produced lecithinase and deoxyribonuclease, were beta hemolytic, but only weakly fermented selected carbohydrates. This anaerobe was pathogenic for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) but not for white mice or guinea pigs.More recently E. tarantellus has been isolated from 10 additional fish species. This and other anaerobic bacteria may be significant pathogens of estuarine fish. Key words: Anaerobic bacteria, Eubacterium, Mugil cephalus, and fish diseases.

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