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Endophytic Fungi Associated With Galls And Host Plants Of Asphondylia Borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Shannon Lynn Sharpe
Endophytic Fungi Associated With Galls And Host Plants Of Asphondylia Borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Shannon Lynn Sharpe
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Asphondylia borrichiae, like other gall-forming gnats, are obligate symbionts to the endophytic fungi (EF) they deposit when laying eggs. Asphondylia spp. and EF are important biocontrol agents, yet details surrounding their diversity, life cycles, and host interactions remain poorly understood. Galls and leaf-stem tissues from two host plants were surveyed to identify and compare EF diversity between the host tissues and species of A. borrichiae. Identification of 114 isolates was carried out by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1/4 primers). Pairwise alignments in multiple genetic databases were bolstered by phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood …
Lake Huron Microbial Mats: A Novel Anagnostidinema Species, A Cyanobacteria-Specific It's Motif Slicer, & A Multi-Marker Community Analysis, Callahan Mcgovern
Lake Huron Microbial Mats: A Novel Anagnostidinema Species, A Cyanobacteria-Specific It's Motif Slicer, & A Multi-Marker Community Analysis, Callahan Mcgovern
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
A region of Lake Huron near Alpena, Michigan (U.S.A) includes karstic sinkholes with oxygen-poor, sulfur-rich ground water that contain vibrant microbial mats resembling life in early Earth’s shallow seas. We sought to document some of this unique ? diversity including the cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, and diatoms. Using culture-based investigations, we recovered strains of a novel cyanobacterium, Anagnostidinema visiae, and by employing a polyphasic approach we described this novel species from the Middle Island Sinkhole. In the processes of characterizing this novel species, the challenges of cyanobacterial systematics became evident. This led us to create a bioinformatics tool to help in …
Effects Of Altering Physiologically Relevant Cholesterol Levels And Media Types On Porin Gene Expression In Klebsiella Pneumoniae And The Resulting Impact On Antibiotic Resistance, Megan R. Camden
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. K. pneumoniae is a rising threat in the clinical setting, as there has been a large increase in the presence of antibiotic resistant isolates. While much research is conducted on laboratory and clinical strains of bacteria, not much is known regarding the impact that human physiology can have on bacterial gene expression, and in response, to antibiotic susceptibility. The goal of this study is to determine if physiologically relevant cholesterol levels and media types impact porin gene expression and antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae. To accomplish this, …
The Effect Of Environmental Factors On Movement Patterns And Habitat Use Of Young-Of-The-Year Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna Lewini) In The Tolomato River Nursery, Matthew Bernanke
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Various shark populations on the southeastern coast of the United States experienced declines in the late 20th century, including the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). Improved management strategies, implemented in the late 1990s, have helped these populations to recover, but they are still under threat from fishing pressure and habitat loss. In continuing to strive towards population recovery and conservation, it is important to identify Essential Fish Habitat, or habitats that are necessary for the spawning, feeding, breeding, or growth of marine organisms. One such habitat is that of the shark nursery habitat. Nursery habitats are those …
The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown
The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Shark fisheries are a multimillion dollar industry in the United States and have significant contributions both recreationally and commercially. In order to maintain this industry, fisheries must be properly managed. An understanding of life history and reproduction is crucial in order to adequately manage shark fisheries. The finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon, is a member of the small coastal shark (SCS) fishery complex. It is found in Atlantic waters from South Carolina to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This species has recently come under increased fishing pressure and has previously been overfished. New data is needed in order …
Klebsiella Pneumoniae Assimilates To Increasing Concentrations Of Cephalothin By Differential Outer Membrane Porin Expression And Increased Production Of Capsular Polysaccharides, Nghi B. Lam
UNF Undergraduate Capstone Projects and Honors Theses
Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic Gram-negative nonmotile bacteria that causes nosocomial infections. In these bacteria, nutrients as well as antibiotics are able to diffuse through the outer membrane via outer membrane porins, transmembrane protein channels. Loss of outer membrane porins, increased capsule production, and a highly mucoid phenotype are commonly observed among antibiotic resistant isolates of this pathogen. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in outer membrane porin expression and capsular polysaccharide production by K. pneumoniae as it transitions to a β-lactam antibiotic resistant phenotype. Klebsiella pneumoniae strain 43816, which is susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics such as …
Molecular And Biochemical Analysis Of Phenolic Acid Decarboxylase From Brettanomyces Yeast Isolates, Chad Lawerence Harris
Molecular And Biochemical Analysis Of Phenolic Acid Decarboxylase From Brettanomyces Yeast Isolates, Chad Lawerence Harris
UNF Undergraduate Capstone Projects and Honors Theses
Many strains of Brettanomyces pose a major threat to the commercial brewing industry by producing phenolic off-flavors, while a few strains contribute desirable characteristics in unique beer styles. This genus of yeast possesses a two-step pathway that converts hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) to vinyl and ethyl derivatives that add unwanted flavors and aromas to the final beverage. This project focused on analyzing Brettanomyces yeast isolates for variation in phenolic acid decarboxylase activity (PAD), which catalyzes the first step in the pathway. Each strain was grown in the three different common HCAs (ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid) to understand each strain’s …
The Effects Of Multiple Abiotic Stressors On The Susceptibility Of The Seagrass Thalassia Testudinum To Labyrinthula Sp., The Causative Agent Of Wasting Disease, Nichole Danielle Bishop
The Effects Of Multiple Abiotic Stressors On The Susceptibility Of The Seagrass Thalassia Testudinum To Labyrinthula Sp., The Causative Agent Of Wasting Disease, Nichole Danielle Bishop
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
In the past century, seagrasses have experienced massive die off episodes in what has been collectively referred to as “wasting disease.” Researchers generally agree that wasting disease is caused by a protist of the Labyrinthula genus, and that environmental stressors can make some populations of seagrasses more susceptible to infection. The purpose of this study was to examine the combined effects of elevated salinity, elevated temperature, elevated sulfide and night-time hypoxia on Thalassia testudinum health and its response to Labyrinthula sp. infection under controlled conditions. To test these effects, microcosms were utilized and individual seagrass shoots were randomly assigned to …