Date of Completion

Spring 5-1-2018

Thesis Advisor(s)

Dr. Spencer V. Nyholm

Honors Major

Molecular and Cell Biology

Disciplines

Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology

Abstract

The bacterial consortium associated with the accessory nidamental gland (ANG) of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna Scolopes is posited to confer symbiotic benefits to the eggs of the squid when bacteria are transferred from the gland of the mother to the jelly coat, which surrounds the embryo in the egg. To characterize the composition of this community bacterial isolates from the egg jelly coat and from the ANG were identified using 16S sequencing. To elucidate the function of these bacteria, egg development experiments were performed to determine the effect of antibiotics on egg survival and the composition of the bacterial community. Experiments were also performed to test the potential effect of the bacteria associated with the eggs on algal biofouling.

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