A Phylogenetic Analysis of Leptogorgia virgulata and Leptogorgia hebes in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Author

Samantha Silvestri, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Diego Figueroa

Second Advisor

Dr. David Hicks

Third Advisor

Dr. Richard Kline

Abstract

The use of genetics in recent years has brought to light the need to reevaluate the classification of many gorgonian octocorals. In 2017, Poliseno et al. conducted a comprehensive, phylogenetic study of the genus Leptogorgia and found that it, too, was in need of taxonomic revision. To expand on their study, 25 samples representing two Leptogorgia species—L virgulata and L. hebes —from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) were examined. Ten novel, complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced using Next Generation sequencing and 24 novel mtMutS sequences were obtained from both species. The phylogenies reconstructed from these sequences indicate the need to redefine the genus Leptogorgia in its entirety. Fossil calibrated divergence times were also estimated using a multiple gene approach. The resulting divergence estimates were much more recent than those estimated previously.

Comments

Copyright 2018 Samantha Silvestri. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/phylogenetic-analysis-i-leptogorgia-virgulata/docview/2177481519/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Silvestri, Samantha, "A Phylogenetic Analysis of Leptogorgia virgulata and Leptogorgia hebes in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 530.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/530