Identification of calanoid copepod prey species via molecular detection of carbon fixation genes |
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Authors: | Wilford B Boling Geoff A Sinclair and Boris Wawrik |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Botany and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, George Lynn Cross Hall, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA;(2) DeFelice Marine Center, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, 8124 Highway 56, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA; |
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Abstract: | Zooplankton and their phytoplankton prey form the basis of the marine food web, yet historically it has been difficult to
discern species-specific trophic interactions. Molecular techniques provide opportunities to obtain taxonomic data where the
traditional methodologies for gut content analysis lack resolution. The large subunit gene of RubisC/O, rbcL, was utilized as a molecular marker for the identification of prey species in calanoid copepods. Clone libraries were generated
from DNA extracted from seawater and whole copepods during a transect cruise on the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf. Sequence
data analysis provided evidence of diatoms, nanoplankton-sized chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria in DNA extracted from whole
copepods. These data demonstrate that rbcL can be a useful marker for the identification of copepod phytoplankton prey. Combining the described approach with quantitative
techniques such as quantitative PCR will provide opportunities for the assessment of species-specific predator–prey interactions. |
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