Single-copy genes can be used as markers to distinguish between bacteria in the same family

The more than 100 bacterial species of the genus Vibrio are important in marine ecosystems because they contribute to the carbon cycle and other ecological processes, but they can also be significant pathogens for both humans (they can cause cholera) and animals (they can drastically reduce productivity in fish and crustacean farms [e.g., prawns] or cause coral bleaching). Identifying and quantifying Vibrio species in marine and estuarine water samples is complex because identification errors may occur when using molecular methods that lack sufficient resolution.