Event Title
Development of neutral and adaptive marker sets for studying the effects of Plasmodium spp. infection on immunogenetic variation in an island lizard
Faculty Sponsor
Nicola Anthony
Submission Type
Poster
Description
To develop a suite of microsatellite DNA as a markers for studying patterns of neutral genetic variation in the endemic Anolis sabanus Lizard; Quantify changes in microsatellite variation across two time slices and three different habitat types; Develop a reference model for assessing the impact of Plasmodium on neutral microsatellite and candidate loci associated with disease resistance. Methods: Anolis Sabanus blood samples were collected across two time slices. One time slice, which targeted these lizard species in the year 2004. Another time slice which targeted these lizard species in the year 2014. Microsatellite DNA results were analyzed on a DNA analysis software named GENEIOUS. RESULTS The Anolis Sabanus samples which were tested using three multiplexes for 11 loci. These loci showed some variability across samples from both time slices indicating that genetic drift could have occurred in lizard populations from 2004 to 2014. CONCLUSION Further experimentation is needed in order to accurately determine if genetic drift indefinitely has occurred. Specifically, more successfully analyzed samples would have to be done in order to reconfirm the possibility of Genetic drift amongst Anolis Sabanus species over a 10 year time period. Summary The malarial parasite Plasmodium has periodically infected anole lizard populations over the past 30 years on Saba island. This pathogen may have created selective pressures on host populations of A. Sabanus lizards. To determine if selection is occurring, we need to compare gene patterns of genetic variation where selection is likely, against neutral microsatellite markers.
Development of neutral and adaptive marker sets for studying the effects of Plasmodium spp. infection on immunogenetic variation in an island lizard
To develop a suite of microsatellite DNA as a markers for studying patterns of neutral genetic variation in the endemic Anolis sabanus Lizard; Quantify changes in microsatellite variation across two time slices and three different habitat types; Develop a reference model for assessing the impact of Plasmodium on neutral microsatellite and candidate loci associated with disease resistance. Methods: Anolis Sabanus blood samples were collected across two time slices. One time slice, which targeted these lizard species in the year 2004. Another time slice which targeted these lizard species in the year 2014. Microsatellite DNA results were analyzed on a DNA analysis software named GENEIOUS. RESULTS The Anolis Sabanus samples which were tested using three multiplexes for 11 loci. These loci showed some variability across samples from both time slices indicating that genetic drift could have occurred in lizard populations from 2004 to 2014. CONCLUSION Further experimentation is needed in order to accurately determine if genetic drift indefinitely has occurred. Specifically, more successfully analyzed samples would have to be done in order to reconfirm the possibility of Genetic drift amongst Anolis Sabanus species over a 10 year time period. Summary The malarial parasite Plasmodium has periodically infected anole lizard populations over the past 30 years on Saba island. This pathogen may have created selective pressures on host populations of A. Sabanus lizards. To determine if selection is occurring, we need to compare gene patterns of genetic variation where selection is likely, against neutral microsatellite markers.
Comments
4th place, Poster