Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey Johansen
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have never received molecular characterization in the gypsum soils at White Sands National Park. These gypsiferous soils support distinctive plant communities and considerable microbial taxonomic diversity in their biological soil crusts. Employing a polyphasic approach characterizing both morphology and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and associated 16S-23S ITS region, six strains of Trichocoleus isolated from White Sands biocrusts were fully characterized. Phylogenetic analyses including other as-yet-unnamed Trichocoleus strain sequences and the three previously described species, T. desertorum, T. caatingensis, and T. badius, led to a revision of the genus and identification of 17 unnamed species-level groups within Trichocoleus. Upon publication of this work, Trichocoleus will be one of the most species-rich cyanobacterial desert soil genera. Trichocoleus is a widespread genus in arid and semi-arid lands around the world, containing multiple species in a number of different desert regions, and will undoubtedly be found in future studies of arid land biocrusts.
Recommended Citation
Szinte, Amanda, "TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE SOIL GENUS TRICHOCOLEUS (TRICHOCOLEUSACEAE, CYANOBACTERIA), INCLUDING FOUR NEW SPECIES FROM WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NEW MEXICO" (2024). Masters Theses. 68.
https://collected.jcu.edu/masterstheses/68
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