SIZE MATTERS: PHYLLOSPHERE BACTERIA AND ENDOGENOUS AMMONIUM VARY ACROSS PLANT SIZE FOR AN EPIPHYTIC BROMELIAD (Tillandsia utriculata)

Jade Stryker

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Oberle, Brad

Area of Concentration

Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field

Abstract

Tillandsia utriculata is an endangered epiphytic bromeliad that is native to Florida and provides a unique habitat for many canopy dwelling organisms. Recently, T. utriculata populations have suffered greatly due to an invasive weevil (Metamasius callizona) and to conserve their populations, organizations are attempting to rear plants in nurseries and reintroduce mature or flowering plants into their previous population ranges. When rearing T. utriculata, it is essential to understand the relationships between T. utriculata and their biotic and abiotic environment in the wild at all stages of their lives to ensure they can thrive in nurseries and post-reintroduction. The goal of this study was to compare the bacterial composition of the phyllosphere and measure the amount of endogenous ammonium across different size classes of T. utriculata to determine if they might be correlated and affect plant health. The internal nitrogen concentration was determined using the phenol-hypochlorite reaction and microbial communities were sampled from the surfaces of leaves for a population of T. utriculata on the New College of Florida campus. Ammonium levels decreased significantly, and bacterial communities became more diverse with increasing plant size. There was a distinct shift in microbial composition as well, with more metabolically diverse bacteria present on larger T. utriculata. While there does appear to be a correlation between endogenous ammonium levels and microbial diversity, more research needs to be done on the interactions between the two to determine the roles microorganisms play in nitrogen acquisition. There appear to be different microbial and nutrient input requirements for different sizes of T. utriculata that need to be considered when rearing them for conservation efforts.

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