Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2013

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Dr. Linda A. Raubeson, Department of Biological Science

Second Committee Member

Dr. Mary E. Poulson, Department of Biological Science

Third Committee Member

Dr. Audrey D. Huerta, Director Science Honors Research Program

Abstract

Cupressaceae are a diverse and important family of conifers, found in temperate regions worldwide. My goal was to improve the understanding of phylogenetic relationships among Cupressaceae genera, while testing a new marker, the low copy nuclear gene XDH. To gather XDH sequence data, I PCR-amplified the gene from DNA samples of 13 representative genera, sequenced the PCR products, aligned the sequences, and then performed phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Maximum Likelihood (ML). The results showed the XDH contains useful phylogenetic information. With the exception of the placement of Callitris, the trees estimated by the two methods (MP and ML) were identical and the bootstrap support values tended to be high. Definition of major clades mostly agreed with current scientific opinion. Although the phylogenetic results were reasonable, the gen was very problematic to amplify, and therefore probably is not a good phylogenetic marker for logistical reasons.

Comments

This thesis has been digitized and made available as part of the University’s ongoing preservation and access initiatives. Copyright is retained by the original author. The University has made a good faith effort to review this work for copyright and privacy concerns prior to digitization. If you are the author or a rights holder and have questions, concerns or wish to request removal, please contact ScholarWorks@cwu.edu.

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS