Development of Procedures To Detect Pathogens in Rhizophora mangle L.
Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Clore, Amy
Keywords
Mangrove, Pathogen, Phytoplasma, Bacteria, Polymerase Chain Reaction
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
Rhizophora mangle L. trees form a forest on the edges of Biscayne Bay National Park, where a unique abnormal morphology, including club-shaped branch termini with extremely short internodes and clumped leaves, was observed in several sections of this R. mangle forest. These abnormal trees also displayed more severe herbivory than neighboring healthy looking trees, and some localized symptoms were so severe that dead patches of the forest were observed. Visual symptoms seemed to be consistent with abnormalities in other trees caused by microbial pathogens. Therefore, universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for fungi, phytoplasmas, and other bacteria were used to test for the possible presence of pathogens in both abnormal and normal R. mangle tissues collected from this site. After some initial difficulties with the PCR using conventionally extracted DNA templates, a new DNA extraction procedure, meant to get rid of contaminants that inhibit PCR, was developed. Using this procedure, templates were produced and used with the universal primers and PCR in an attempt to identify a possible pathogen from the abnormal tissue. Candidate amplification products were sequenced and possible explanations were formulated as to the cause of the abnormalities. Although definitive results were not obtained, pursuing the cause of the abnormalities is important due to the integral role R. mangle plays in its environment.
Recommended Citation
Shatters, Alycia, "Development of Procedures To Detect Pathogens in Rhizophora mangle L." (2010). Theses & ETDs. 4331.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4331
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.