Mitochondrial DNA as a Tool for Studying the Genetic Relationships of Marine Invertebrates with Planktonic Larvae: Research Fellowship in Marine Biotechnology

海洋生态学研究的一个基本问题是 识别自然种群并了解它们如何变化 穿越时空这个问题在海洋环境中尤其具有挑战性。 在发育或改变栖息地过程中变质的生物 在它们的生命周期中。许多物种的成年阶段 底栖动物（如藤壶），而它们的幼虫阶段是 扩散性，并可远距离扩散。的许多方面 沿海无脊椎动物成年种群的生态学 被深入研究，但幼虫传播对 种群的遗传结构尚不清楚， 广泛。 这项研究的目标是获得知识， 扩散和选择联合收割机影响的程度 人口之间的差异。基因差异可能会通过以下方式产生： 自然选择，遗传漂变，非随机交配， 突变分化是由基因流动减少之间 种群：传播繁殖体，如卵，精子，幼虫， 囊肿或成虫。这两种力量通常处于不断变化的状态 我们在某个时间点看到的基因模式取决于 这些力量的相对强度。 韦斯特博士会将个体的线粒体DNA序列 南极藤壶幼虫和新定居的幼体 在成人场所附近采集。学意义 组和可能的变化，随着时间的推移， 产生一个新的角度形成和维护的 这些群体的遗传结构。 线粒体dna 分析可以揭示幼虫像云一样移动的程度 关系密切的人。继续采样这些 通过时间的模式提供了线索， 一个群体可能自然经历的波动。的 通过引物引导的酶促反应， 使用聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行DNA扩增。

A fundamental problem in the study of marine ecology is to identify natural populations and understand how they change through time. This problem is especially challenging in marine organisms that metamorphose during development or change habitats throughout their life cycle. Adult stages of many species are benthic (e.g. barnacles), while their larval stages are planktonic and may disperse over long distances. Many aspects of the ecology of adult populations of coastal invertebrates have been intensively studied, but the effects of larval dispersal on genetic structure of populations are unclear and potentially extensive. The goal of this fellowship research is to gain knowledge of the degree to which dispersal and selection combine to affect variation between populations. Genetic differences may arise via natural selection, genetic drift, non-random mating, and mutation. Differentiation is reduced by gene-flow between populations: dispersal of propagules such as eggs, sperm, larvae, cysts, or adults. These two forces are usually in a state of flux and the genetic patterns we see at one point in time depend on the relative strengths of these forces. Dr. West will compare individual mitochondrial DNA sequences of planktonic barnacle larvae and newly settled juveniles collected adjacent to adult sites. Differences between these groups and possibly changes within cohorts through time will yield a new perspective on formation and maintenance of the genetic structure of these populations. Mitochondrial DNA analysis can reveal the degree to which larvae travel as clouds of closely related individuals. Continued sampling of these patterns through time gives clues to the amount of genetic fluctuation that a population may naturally experience. The studies are made possible by means of primer-directed enzymatic DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).