Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
molecular identification, nematode gut, food web
College
Life Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Species-specific food web relationships involving free-living microbivorous nematodes are not well established, yet critical to our understanding of their involvement in nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. Antarctic soil ecosystems are the simplest on earth and serve as a model system for exploring the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function. To establish which bacteria are involved in trophic relationships with nematodes, we surface-sterilized nematodes and extracted their DNA, including bacterial DNA from the gut contents of the nematodes. From this bacterial DNA we PCR amplified the 16S gene and sequenced the product in order to determine the identity of the gut contents of the nematode. We successfully amplified and sequenced the 16s rRNA of Photorhabdus from the gut of the nematode genus Heterorhabditis. We are currently continuing these experiments with genus Scottnema and Plectus nematodes from soil samples collected in Antarctica. Given a broader sampling regimen, this approach can be used to establish food web relationships in more complex ecosystems.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Quinn and Adams, Dr. Byron
(2013)
"Molecular Identification of Nematode Gut Contents,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1097.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1097