| Streptomyces are Gram-positive, filamentous bacteria best known for their ability to produce antimicrobial compounds. One hundred thirty-five Streptomyces strains were isolated from three different sites (45 isolates per site) in the Lower Laguna Madre (LLM) designated ABC, LMT051 and SB. Multiple experiments (salinity tolerance, optimal pH, nutrient utilization, resource profiling, interference competition, and sequencing) were done to determine if the microorganisms displayed localized adaptations not common to their natural environment based on spatial differences. No marine Streptomyces isolate was able to grow beyond 40 ppt NaCl. All isolated Streptomyces grew best at or around basic pH. Most inhibition amongst the marine Streptomyces strains occurred between LMT051 isolates vs. isolates from site SB and within the group of SB isolates. The 16S rDNA sequences from site ABC showed it had the least species richness. This research adds to the body of knowledge regarding marine Streptomyces from an environment not studied greatly. |
