Recommended Citation
August 1, 2013.
Abstract
Populations in Point Reyes National Seashore
The presence of the invasive tunicate Didemnum vexillum in the San Francisco Bay was first documented in 1993, and it has since been found in Point Reyes National Seashore. In 2012, 38 samples of D. vexillum were collected from two locations in Point Reyes: Tomales Bay and Drake’s Estero. This summer, DNA from the 38 samples was extracted and analyzed using microsatellite and mitochondrial markers. The goal of this analysis was to determine the level of genetic connectivity between these two populations and their relationship to other global populations in order to answer important ecological questions regarding their spatial patterns and rates of migration. The results of our analysis are preliminary; our goal is to obtain more samples of D. vexillum from the SF Bay area, and analyze additional loci.
Mentor
Sarah Cohen
Lab site
Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies (RTC)
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work supported by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0952013 and Grant No. 0833353. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation or the National Science Foundation. This project has also been made possible with support of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The STAR program is administered by the Cal Poly Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME) on behalf of the California State University (CSU).
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/star/225