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.
Erica Lauer Vose 