A new species of psychrophilic bdelloid rotifer from North America

Rotifers are aquatic invertebrates known for their high tolerance and adaptability when faced with environmental stressors such as drought and extreme temperatures. Here, a bdelloid rotifer was discovered in a shelved beaker stored for ~6 years at 4˚C, originally collected from a field sample on Dec...

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Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: DiMattia, Lydia Michelina (author), Shain, Daniel (chair), Oberle, Jennifer A (member), González, Angélica L (member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - Camden
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dissertations.umi.com/graduateschool.camden.rutgers:10113
Description
Summary:Rotifers are aquatic invertebrates known for their high tolerance and adaptability when faced with environmental stressors such as drought and extreme temperatures. Here, a bdelloid rotifer was discovered in a shelved beaker stored for ~6 years at 4˚C, originally collected from a field sample on Deception Glacier, WA. DNA sequencing at nuclear and mitochondrial loci followed by phylogenetic analyses revealed three haplotypes that share a close evolutionary relationship with an ice-obligate, Norwegian rotifer lineage. Viability experiments established their growth rate between 4 – 37˚C, survivability after freezing at -20˚C, and pH tolerance between 5.8 – 7.9. A metagenomic analysis of the glacial meltwater sample revealed a highly diverse fungal and bacterial community. Collectively, these data identify a new species of bdelloid rotifer, and the first glacier-obligate Rotifera discovered in North America. M.S. Includes bibliographical references