Microbiome Analysis of Sunspider VS. Giant Desert Centipede
Marcus Wilhelm, Jaycelyn Forbes, Dr. Barbara Murdoch Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic CT USA
1. Introduction
Giant Desert Centipede
•Central to the Southern U.S. and Northern Mexico
•The average size is 6.5in (up to 8in)
•Eats bugs, spiders, frogs, and small rodents Sunspider
•Common in deserts in Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico
•The average size is 5-6in
•Eats other arthropods, bats, rodents, lizards, and birds.
Hypothesis:
Because the organisms share a similar geographic location and diet, there will be similar bacteria found in the Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros) and the Sunspider (Eremobates pallipes)
2. Methodology
• Qubit fluorometer
o Used to determine how much DNAwas in our sample
• Agarose gels and Electrophoresis
o Used to determine if 16sRNA is present
• PCR library and barcoding
o Used to amplify 16sRNA so that there would be enough to sequence
• DNA cleaning (AMPure)
o Used to remove additional compounds from the amplified DNA sample
• Flow cell priming and loading
o Additional compounds were added to the DNA sample. The sample was then loaded into a flow cell which was inputted into a nanopore sequencing device.
3. Nanopore Sequencing
A new lab technique used to analyze DNA nucleotide bases by passing it through a very small hole. Each base (A,T,G,C) gives off a different electrical current, which is logged by the sequencer.
4. Microbiome Results
7. Conclusions
Although both invertebrates have similar diets and habitats, the only two bacterial commonalities are at the phyla level: Bacillota and Pseudomonadota Thus, we fail to reject the null hypothesis.
8. Future Directions
5. Common Bacteria at the Phyla Level
Bacillota-Rod shaped bacteria found In soil, water, and living organisms. Associated diseases of bacillota include anthrax, botulism, food poisoning, tuberculosis and leprosy. Pseudomonadota- Rod or spiral shaped bacteria found in soil, water, and the human gut. Can be harmless, beneficial or harmful. Can cause respiratory, dermal, or blood infections.
Acinomycetota-Branched filamentous or rod shaped extremophilic bacteria found in soil and water associated with respiratory, skin, soft tissue infections.
Bacteroidota- Anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria found in the human colon implicated in maintaining gut health in humans.
9. References and Acknowledgements
Images in figures 4A,4B,5A and 5B were sourced from Wikipedia.
Researchers should continue to sequence DNA of microorganisms to determine potential applications in not only biology but psychology as well. Applications in psychology could include research in understanding genetic basis of behavior, neurodevelopment and brain function, and new insights into psychological traits like cognitive abilities, personality and susceptibility to mental disorders.
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Graham for his work in the field collecting the samples used during sequencing. We would also like the thank Dr. Murdoch and Zach Kelly for their knowledge, expertise and guidance during the PCR and sequencing process. Thank you!
6. Unique Bacteria to the Giant Desert Centipede
Figure 3. Bacteria genera found in the Giant Desert Centipede and Sunspider
Figure 2. Bacteria phyla found in the Giant Desert Centipede and Sunspider
Figure 4. A) Bacillota
Figure 4. B) Pseudomonadota
Figure 5. A) Acinomycetota Figure 5. B) Bacteroidota
Figure 1. A) Giant Desert Centipede B) Sunspider