A bacterial basis for the growth of antibiotic-treated bivalve larvae
Hidu, H.; Tubiash, H.S. (1963). A bacterial basis for the growth of antibiotic-treated bivalve larvae. Proceedings of the National Shellfisheries Association 54: 25-39
In: Proceedings of the National Shellfisheries Association. Economy Printing: Easton. ISSN 0077-5711, more
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| Abstract |
Routine addition of the proprietary antibiotic formulation "Combistrep" (dihydrostreptomycin- streptomycin sulfates) to larval cultures of clams, Mercenaria mercenaria , or oysters, Crassostrea virginica , usually results in a significant increase in growth rate of larvae. It had been assumed that this increase was effected by the elimination or suppression of bacterial flora, but plate counts show that the total number of marine bacteria increases in almost direct proportion to the added Combistrep up to 2,000 parts per million. Bacteria-free clam larvae showed no growth when cultured in autoclaved sea water to which Combistrep had been added. In Combistrep-treated cultures inoculated with a mixed flora of marine bacteria, the larvae showed significant growth, while cultures that received the bacterial inoculum but no Combistrep showed little or no growth. These results suggest that the antibiotic-induced bacterial flora in the Combistrep-treated cultures may be utilized by larvae as a food source. |
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