Panel 9: prokaryotic rDNA

For prokaryotes of the cordgrass-decay system, we are working with 16S rDNA. Alpha-proteobacteria (mostly uncultured to date) are predominant among our amplicons, with gamma-proteobacteria and cytophagas (+ allies) expanding in the later stages of blade decay (chart at left). T-RFLP analyses of amplicon pools have revealed remarkable seasonal shifting in the prokaryotic communities of the late-decay blades (below).