Isolating and Identifying Fungal Endophytes from Roots of Rare Orchid Cypripedium arietinum in Grand Sable Dunes, Michigan

<p>Recently the population of <em>Cypripedium arietinum</em> in Grand Sable Dunes, Michigan was estimated at more than 3.5 million plants, greater than 90% of the world’s known population. There is little research on this species’ root associated fungal endophytes. This new population estimate allows the ethical, destructive sampling required to shed light on root associated symbionts and further successful preservation and restoration of the species. Samples were collected of current year’s roots from 75 <em>C. arietinum</em> orchids at 75 locations within 4 jack pine forests in the Grand Sable Dunes, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Fungal endophyte cultures were obtained from roots and subcultured for DNA extraction. DNA was PCR amplified with primers that isolate the highly conserved 5.8s rDNA and the highly variable internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions on either side of it. DNA was sequenced and sequences were identified using NCBI BLAST. Of the 36 DNA samples 27 were positively identified. <em>Phialocephala fortinii</em> and <em>Leptodontidium orchidicola</em> were the most prevalent identifications. These fungi both have saprotrophic abilities and may play an important role in <em>C. arietinum’s</em> lifecycle.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Farkas-Lasich, Kari

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Donna Becker

• Cypripedium arietinum
• Phialocephala fortinii
• Leptodontidium orchidicola
• Rhizoscyphus ericae
• Grand Sable Dunes
• Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
• Plant Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/553

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1568