Variations in seaweed-associated and planktonic bacterial communities along the coast of Ghana
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Taylor & Francis
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Seaweed associated bacteria can be exploited for sustainable production and conservation of
seaweeds, although limited information exists in several coastal waters in West Africa. Here, the
diversity and abundance of bacteria on five seaweeds, Sargassum vulgare, Padina durvillaei,
Hydropuntia dentata, Hypnea musciformis and Ulva fasciata, and surrounding seawaters
across five coastal sites in the Central and Western regions of Ghana were investigated.
Biochemical tests and MALDI–TOF identification system were used to determine the
bacteria diversity and abundance on the seaweeds and seawater. A total of 530 bacterial
isolates, belonging to 28 species (and mostly Proteobacteria and Firmicutes) were identified.
A higher diversity of bacteria species was found associated with the seaweeds (83%) than in
seawater (17%). Bacterial composition was similar among taxonomically-related seaweeds.
The brown (S. vulgare) and red (H. musciformis) seaweeds recorded the most and least
diverse bacterial assemblage, respectively. Seasonally, bacterial diversity and abundance
were marginally higher in the wet season. The study provides important baseline
information on the spatial, temporal and taxonomic distribution of bacteria associated with
commercially valuable seaweed species in the coastal areas of Ghana. The results are also
important for the sustainable exploitation and conservation of these important macroalgae
in Ghana and elsewhere.
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Research Article
Citation
M. O. Akrong, A. K. Anning, G. N. D Addico, J. N. Hogarh, A. Adu-Gyamfi, K. A. A deGraft-Johnson, M. Ale, J. A. Ampofo & A. S. Meyer (2023): Variations in seaweed-associated and planktonic bacterial communities along the coast of Ghana, Marine Biology Research, DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2023.2213894