A new species of psychrophilic bdelloid rotifer from North America

• 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: Biology; Evolution & development; Bdelloid rotifer; Evolution; Glacier; New species; Phylogenetics; Psychrophile; Deception Glacier; Rotifer
• Online Access: http://dissertations.umi.com/graduateschool.camden.rutgers:10113

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