Using Diagnostic Pcr To Analyze Trophic Relationships Between Macrofauna And Meiofauna

Rhea Mathew

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Julian Smith III, Department of Biology, Winthrop University

Abstract

The meiofaunal trophic web remains largely unknown, but these trophic relationships are essential to understanding the importance this organism has on higher trophic levels. Relationships between macrofauna and meiofauna are essential to fully understanding the niche and ecological importance of meiofauna. Meiofauna effects organisms in higher and lower trophic levels; therefore, understanding their relationship to other organisms is crucial. Uncovering the trophic relationships of Meiofauna presents many challenges due to their small size. A fairly new method for analysis known as Diagnostic PCR has been proven to have good results in determining the Meiofaunal Trophic Web. By combining specific prey-primer sets with the whole genome of predator DNA, this method allows for uncovering the diet of Macrofaunal organisms. Through extensive research on the behavior and habitat of these organisms and diet analysis, scientists can gain a better understanding of the trophic relations of Meiofauna.

Start Date

4-11-2015 10:30 AM

End Date

4-11-2015 10:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 10:30 AM Apr 11th, 10:45 AM

Using Diagnostic Pcr To Analyze Trophic Relationships Between Macrofauna And Meiofauna

The meiofaunal trophic web remains largely unknown, but these trophic relationships are essential to understanding the importance this organism has on higher trophic levels. Relationships between macrofauna and meiofauna are essential to fully understanding the niche and ecological importance of meiofauna. Meiofauna effects organisms in higher and lower trophic levels; therefore, understanding their relationship to other organisms is crucial. Uncovering the trophic relationships of Meiofauna presents many challenges due to their small size. A fairly new method for analysis known as Diagnostic PCR has been proven to have good results in determining the Meiofaunal Trophic Web. By combining specific prey-primer sets with the whole genome of predator DNA, this method allows for uncovering the diet of Macrofaunal organisms. Through extensive research on the behavior and habitat of these organisms and diet analysis, scientists can gain a better understanding of the trophic relations of Meiofauna.