The predominant anaerobe from the spiral intestine of hatchery-raised sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), a new Bacteroides species

The anaerobic and aerobic bacterial flora from the spiral intestine of hatchery-raised sturgeon were enumerated. Among the obligate anaerobes, a new bacteroidelike organism was isolated and found to be the predominant strict anaerobe. The organism is Gram-negative, produces the fermentation products acetate, succinate, propionate and H₂. The mol % G+C of DNA from various strains ranged from 33.17–33.65. The optimum sodium concentration for this organism was found to be 137 mM; the sodium level in the sturgeon spiral intestine ranged from 94.5–110.0mM. Based on these and other physiological characteristics, the organism appears to be a new species of the genus Bacteroides.Non-common abbreviations GI Gastrointestinal - VFA Volatile fatty acid - SI Spiral intestine - GLC Gas-liquid chromatography