Completion of Biofouling Research on the Effects of Marine Bacteria on the Attachment of Larval Barnacles.
Abstract
Bacterial cells or extracellular materials (ECM) in supernatant from log and stationary phase cultures of three bacterial species were allowed to attach to assay containers (polystyrene petri dishes or borosilicate glass vials) and the attachment of lab-reared barnacle cyprid larvae to treated or control (unfilmed) assay containers was monitored daily for several days. Results of assays employing Balanus amphitrite as the test barnacle species were inconsistent among assays; bacteria and ECM both enhanced and reduced cyprid attachment. However assays using B. improvisus cyprids were more consistent; cells and ECM of all three bacterial species generally reduced cyprid attachment to polystyrene and increased attachment to glass. Histological staining procedures were used to assess the attachment of bacterial cells and adsorption of ECM to polystyrene and glass. Attached cells were fixed and stained with crystal violet. The carbohydrate components of ECM were stained with alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff's reagent, or peroxidase-labeled lectins (concanavalin A or wheat germ). Cell staining did not show qualitative patterns in the biofllms that could be related to variability in B. amphitrite attachment among assays. Carbohydrates of ECM did not stain appreciably with any of the treatments used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA288679
Entities
People
- Nancy J. O'connor