Molecular and culture based characterisation of gastrointestinal bacteria of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) within a commercial mariculture system in south-eastern Tasmania. gut metagenome

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbial communities of commercially farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were examined using culture-based techniques and by 16S rRNA gene pyro-tag sequence analysis. The aim of this study was to identify key GI tract bacteria that represent potential drivers for salmon growth and health and assess how community structure develops during intensive feeding of salmon as they grow from smolt through to harvestable adult fish in south-eastern Tasmanian waters.