POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION AND 16S-RIBOSOMAL-RNA GENE-SEQUENCES FROM THE LUMINOUS BACTERIAL SYMBIONTS OF 2 DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISHES

Sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of luminous bacterial symbionts from the escas of the deep sea anglerfishes Melanocetus johnsoni and Cryptopsaras couesi were determined by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products. A sequence was also obtained from a strain of Photobacterium phosphoreum, the culturable light organ symbiont of Opisthoproctus grimaldii. Comparison of these and other published sequences showed that the anglerfish symbionts group with the marine luminous bacteria but are not closely related to P. phosphoreum. The two ceratioid symbionts differ from each other at least at the species level.