Exploring Marine Ecosystems and Native Plants: Insights from Coral Reefs to Backyard Gardens
A single isolate was selected for this study and taken from initial isolation to species identification, location of the SOD gene, and verification of the Mn/Fe SOD gene family. Although no SOD enzyme activity measurements were successfully taken, this study demonstrates a replicable process for culturing bacterial isolates most likely to be in close association with the Symbiodinium, identifying the isolates, and locating the SOD gene.
Although the top NCBI matches for the 16S rRNA gene (≥97% identity) were all Tritonibacter mobilis strains, there was some uncertainty in this classification. This uncertainty was largely due to the fact that the isolate exhibited little to no motility, which is inconsistent with reported characteristics of T. mobilis. Analysis of the SOD gene (≥99% identity) also produced matches primarily to T. mobilis, albeit to a different set of strains than those identified by 16S gene. This supports the conclusion that the isolate is, in fact, T. mobilis, but possibly a new, or previously unnamed strain of T. mobilis.
I concluded my Independent Research Project this spring at the One USF Undergraduate Research Conference, where I presented my work in an oral session. The presentation went very well, and I had the chance to teach others about coral—one of my favorite topics. You can watch a recorded version of my talk here.
The purpose of this study was to identify a bacterial sample collected from a local storm water reservoir using the 16S rRNA gene to identify it. The genetic sequence was then used to explore the evolutionary relationships of the identified bacteria. A freshwater sample from Lake Pasadena was cultured, and DNA was extracted from a selected colony. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified via PCR and confirmed by gel electrophoresis (~1500 bp). Sequencing and BLAST analysis identified the bacterium as Acinetobacter johnsonii. Phylogenetic analysis using MEGA11 placed it within a eurytopic group of Gammaproteobacteria, capable of surviving diverse environments. Sub-tree groupings highlight habitat adaptability and catalase activity as a key ecological trait.
Invasive species are a significant source of biodiversity loss in a given habitat. This is largely because they can quickly reach high population levels and outcompete native individuals. This rapid population growth will usually result in significant, harmful overall impact on ecosystems. This study examines the population density factors of the invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish… Continue reading Are invasive Lionfish affected by population density?
Erica Lauer Vose 