Bacterial Diversity in the Digestive Tracts of Four Indian Air-Breathing Fish Species Investigated by PCR Based Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

ABSTRACT An investigation was conducted to identify the allochthonous microbiota (entire intestine) and the autochthonous microbiota in proximal intestine (PI) and distal intestine (DI) of four species of Indian air-breathing fish (climbing perch; Anabas testudineus, murrel; Channa punctatus, walking catfish; Clarias batrachus and stinging catfish; Heteropneustes fossilis) by PCR based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). High similarities of the allochthonous microbiota were observed between climbing perch and murrel, walking catfish and stinging catfish, indicating similar food be...