Genetic diversity of the biofilm covering Montacuta ferruginosa (Mollusca, Bivalvia) as evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis and cloning of PCR-amplified gene fragments coding for 16S rRNA

Research was conducted to examine the phylogenetic diversity of the Montacuta ferruginosa biofilm bacteria. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis method was used to gain a global view of the bacterial diversity of the biofilm while the traditional cloning-sequencing method was used to derive phylogenetic information. Results indicate that some biofilm bacteria could play an important role in the mineral formation processes.