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A Summer of Research
Annie Roessler
Centre College
Brown Fellows Program
Project Schedule
• Centre College
– Prolactin and Nest Attachment
• University of Cincinnati
– DNA-based species Delimitation
• Sierra Club
– Alpine Beginner Backpacking Course
DNA-based Species Delimitation in the Agriculturally Important
Genus, Ravinia
The Species Debate
• Multiple species concepts
– Wiens, J. J. (2007)
• Boundary Limitations
• Broad Implications
Species Delimitation
• Morphological characteristics
• DNA sequence data
– Mitochondrial (mtDNA)
– Nuclear
• Monophyly
• One most recent common ancestor
Phylogenetic Trees
• Non-monophyletic
• More than one most recent common ancestor
Phylogenetic Trees
DNA Types
Mitochondrial DNA
• Inherited from mother only
• Not highly conserved
• Rapid mutation rate
• Form single clades quickly
• Easy to amplify
• Sometimes does not provide monophyletic clades (paraphyly)
Nuclear DNA
• Inherited from both parents
• Highly conserved
• Fewer mutations
• Form single clades slowly
• More difficult to amplify
• Monophyletic info
Ravinia
• Limited morphological characters
• Agriculturally important
• 17 species living in N. America (12 present in this study)
Subjects
• Twelve species of North American Ravinia
– Multiple individuals
– Multiple populations
• Additional samples collected in Burnet Woods
Purpose
1. Establish species trees generated from gene trees comprised of mitochondrial and nuclear loci
2.Create a genomic DNA library of Ravinia using a plasmid vector to obtain numerous fragments of cloned DNA
Experiment Design
1. Ravinia DNA Digestion
2. Plasmid Extraction
3. Vector Digestion
4. Ligation Vector and Insert
5. Transformation of E. coli
6. Sequencing of Inserts
SUMR-UC Schedule
• 40 hour work week
• Hands on laboratory work
• Subject collections
• Literature reviews
• 1 of 12 samples
• Sequence length: 710 base pairs
• Not similar to anything in database
• Not vector or human
Results
Conclusions and Implications
• Newly sequenced nuclear segment
• Provide phylogenetic information– Create a gene tree with mitochondrial info
– Create a species tree with nuclear info
• Understanding of evolutionary systems
• Conservation of protected species
• Other fields– Agriculture
– Ecology
• Generate primers off of acquired DNA
• Testing generated primers on multiple species of Ravinia
• Creating species and gene trees from sequence data
• Testing species boundaries and limits
– Infer species status of questionable Ravinia taxa
Future Directions
• Terminology
• Lab techniques
• Lack of chemistry background
• Communication
• Literature reading
• Career advice
SUMR-UC Challenges and Strengths
Walking Along the Spine of the Rockies: A Week in the Mountains
Field Research
• Laboratory research– Prolactin and Nest Attachment
• Ongoing research
– Ravinia and Gene Trees• 8 weeks in summer 2011
• Field research– Natural habitat
– Free-living, wild animals
– Avoid changing/altering behavior
Famous Field Researchers
• Jane Goodall
– Anthropology 120
• Thomas Defler
– American Primatology Convention speaker
– Lived and worked in Colombia
My Interests
• Animal behavior
• Ecology
• The Green Movement
• Psychology
• Conservation
• Animal Welfare
The Sierra Club
• To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
Purpose
1. Learn and develop basic outdoor survival skills under the guidance of an experienced instructor
2. Practice field research techniques, such as observing wildlife and taking detailed field notes
Alpine Beginner Backpack Design
• Slow, steady approach
• Rocky Mountain National Park
– Continental Divide Trail
• Six day, 28 mile loop
– Variety of terrain
• Gain and lose 4,000 feet in elevation
– Summit Hallet’s Peak: 12,700 ft
Environment
• Subalpine and Alpine Regions
• Forest
• Tundra
– Snow fields
– Boulder fields
– High winds
• Meadows
• Glacial Lakes
Equipment
• Medium weight, waterproof hiking boots
• Backpack
• Sleeping system
• Rain gear
• Lightweight tent
Training
• Cardiovascular– Running
– Spinning
• Weightlifting– Walking with 45
lb pack
– Unusual muscle groups
• Flexibility– Yoga
Results
Fauna
• Elk
• Pika
• Marmots
• Mule deer
• Big horn sheep
• Moose
Flora• Bluebell
• Mountain Daisy
• Elephant Head
• Indian Paintbrush
• Columbine
• Berries– Strawberries
– Rasberries
– Blueberries
– Whortleberries
– Deadly Nightshade
Conclusions and Implications
• Immersion in and response to the elements– “Leave No Trace” Policy
• Outdoor experience
– Aligned with my interests
• Development of field research techniques
– Note-taking behavior
– Identification
• Foster a sense of health and pride
• Concern with the Mountain Pine Beetle
Mountain Pine Beetle
Future Directions
• Continuation of Research
– Current Projects
– Potential Internship
• Next Challenge
– To be determined
Thank You!
• The Brown Foundation
• Centre College
• The University of Louisville
• Clarence Wyatt
• Melissa Burns-Cusato
• The University of Cincinnati Graduate School
• SUMR-UC/ GSUM program
• Evan Wong• Ron DeBry• Michael Baldwin
• And many more!