Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)

Abstract

"Two species and one subspecies of salamander in the genus Eurycea, two species of Plethodon and one species of Typhlotriton (recently considered to be Eurycea) salamander currently reside in an area of Onondaga Cave known as the Missouri Caverns section. Due to the presence of two known interbreeding subspecies of salamanders, Eurycea Longicauda (Long-tailed salamander) and Eurycea longicauda melanopleura (Dark-sided salamander), the possibility may exist for interbreeding of one or all of these taxa. Specifically, it is hypothesized that the two species of Eurycea longicauda may interbreed with Eurycea lucifuga (Cave salamander). through visual assessment and phenotypic analysis, all known species were identified. Tissue samples were used to identify any undiagnosed specimens through DNA fingerprinting, also known as Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), a method measuring genotypic differences. This information was used to support evidence of hybridization among the co-existing species. Evidence of hybridization may indicate that the removal of human disturbance in this area may have had a prominent impact on multiple salamander species and their willingness to compete for food and other precious resources"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Maglia, Anne M.

Committee Member(s)

Frank, Ronald L.
Vandike, James E.

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

M.S. in Applied and Environmental Biology

Sponsor(s)

Missouri. Department of Natural Resources

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2008

Pagination

viii, 112 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-111).

Geographic Coverage

Onondaga Cave State Park, Missouri

Rights

© 2008 Maria Louise Potter, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Brook salamandersCave ecologySalamanders -- Missouri -- Onondaga Cave State ParkSalamanders -- Missouri

Thesis Number

T 9361

Print OCLC #

262298321

Electronic OCLC #

378973240

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Thesis Location

 
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