SGER: Genetic Identification and Characterization of Siphonophores and of Ctenophores

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Pelagic biogeography, the study of the distribution of organisms in the open ocean, has been limited by the inability to determine the genetic composition and structure of marine species. Dr. George Matsumoto and colleagues will try to apply new molecular systematic methods of DNA analysis to samples of two poorly known groups of pelagic organisms, siphonophores and ctenophores. Emphasis in the laboratory will be placed on analyzing mitochondrial DNA and ribosomal DNA, because of the demonstrated utility of these classes of DNA in other animal groups. If successful, the study will yield data that will help characterize the genetic diversity and differences within and among groups of these colonial invertebrates. The organisms under study have gelatinous outer sheaths, which present special problems for the extraction and analysis of DNA. Thus, the SGER mechanism is especially appropriate for support of this exploratory research.