Honors College Thesis
 

Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf- and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica

Public Deposited

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/honors_college_theses/pn89d874k

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • A great deal of research has been focused on the microbiomes of terrestrial angiosperms (flowering plants), but much less research has been performed on the microbiomes of aquatic angiosperms (Turner et al. 2013). Eelgrass beds are extremely productive ecosystems that provide habitat for many marine organisms, such as fish, shellfish, crabs, and algae (Smith et al. 1988). Eelgrass beds contribute to storm surge damping (Spalding et al. 2009), nutrient cycling (Smith et al. 1988), and water clarification (Orth et al. 2006). We examined the metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf- and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica. In our study, the phylogenetic composition of plant-associated bacterial communities was not significantly different between plant species for leaf communities (ANOSIM P<0.199) and for root communities (ANOSIM P<0.091). However, leaf-, root-, and water column associated bacterial communities were significantly different from one another (ANOSIM, P<0.001). We found taxa present on leaves that are capable of metabolizing methanol and of producing agarases that cause disease and die-offs in populations of competitive red seaweed, and of producing indoleacetate, a plant hormone. Members of genus Granulosicoccus were found to be particularly abundant in our leaf samples. We also found taxa present on the roots that are capable of metabolizing sulfur compounds, of fixing nitrogen, and of degrading methanol. Key Words: seagrass, Netarts, Oregon, estuary, ocean, microbiology, molecular biology
License
Resource Type
Date Available
Date Issued
Degree Level
Degree Name
Degree Field
Degree Grantor
Commencement Year
Advisor
Non-Academic Affiliation
Rights Statement
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Replaces

Relationships

Parents:

This work has no parents.

In Collection:

Items