Classification of luminous bacteria from the light organ of the Australian Pinecone fish,Cleidopus gloriamaris

Luminous bacteria isolated from the light organs of the Australian Pinecone fish Cleidopus gloriamaris have been studied. The isolates were from fish from four different geographical estuarine systems on the east coast of Australia. All isolates were found to be strains of Vibrio fischeri, a species not hitherto demonstrated conclusively as forming a symbiotic association. Some ecological considerations are discussed.Non-Standard Abbreviation PHB polyhydroxybutyrate