SREL Reprint #2074

Temporal variation in genetic diversity and structure of a lotic population of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia

Mark G. Wise1, J Vaun McArthur2, Chris Wheat1, and Lawrence J. Shimkets1

1Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia,  Athens, Georgia 30602-2605
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

Abstract: The genetic structure and temporal patterns of genetic diversity in a population of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia, isolated from a southeastern backwater stream, were investigated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. Allelic variation in seven structural gene loci was monitored at a single stream location at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h and at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days. Over the length of the study, 217 isolates were collected, from which 65 unique electrophoretic types (ETs) were identified. Most of these ETs were present at only one or two time periods and were considered transients; however, one resident ET was particularly abundant (64 of the 217 isolates [29.4%]) and was found at all time points except day 32. The mean genetic diversity of the entire population was 0.520, and the index of association (a measure of multilocus linkage disequilibrium) was 1.33. These results, taken in conjunction with a previous study focusing on spatial patterns of genetic diversity in lotic B. cepacia, show that these bacterial populations exhibit greater variability among sites than within a site over time, suggesting relative stability over short time periods.

SREL Reprint #2074

Wise, M.G., J.V. McArthur, C. Wheat, and L.J. Skimkets. 1996. Temporal variation in genetic diversity and structure of a lotic population of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 62:1558-1562.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).