Mentor(s):

Brian Wysor, Department of Biology, Marine Biology & Environmental Science

Roger Williams University

Project Description

Bryopsis is a species rich genus (n=59 spp.) of green macroalgae known for its feathery, coenocytic thalli that harbor natural products with promising bioactivities including anti-tumor and anti-insecticidal properties. Species in the genus are distinguished by the arrangement of pinnules in rows along one or both sides of a main axis, by the random placement of pinnules around the main axes, degrees of branching, and thallus size, but it is well established that these discrete morphological features do not simultaneously define genetic clusters recognized on the basis of DNA sequence comparisons. This range in morphological variation renders species identification challenging, and potentially complicates the correct attribution of species-specific chemical signatures amongst Bryopsis species. For this study, the student’s task will be to sequence two standard DNA Barcode regions, tufA and rbcL, from live and/or preserved specimens of Bryopsis to identify closely-related specimens from throughout its western, north Atlantic distribution from Rhode Island to Panama, including specimens from the eastern tropical Pacific. The student will then assess morphology within genetically-defined clusters, and establish the geographic ranges of those clusters. We will then be positioned to establish how many species of Bryopsis exist in the western Atlantic, and determine if southern genotypes are becoming newly established in more northerly latitudes as a response to global climate change or through biological invasion.

This project involves field, lab and computational work.

 

Required/Preferred Skills

No prior experience with fieldwork, sample collection, laboratory analysis, or data analysis are required. Though not required, successful completion of a class in Genetics or Biotechnology, or prior experience with DNA Barcoding workflows would be an asset. Curiosity about seaweeds and the local marine flora are welcomed; swimming competency is valued, but not essential to participation.