To access this work you must either be on the Smith College campus OR have valid Smith login credentials.
On Campus users: To access this work if you are on campus please Select the Download button.
Off Campus users: To access this work from off campus, please select the Off-Campus button and enter your Smith username and password when prompted.
Non-Smith users: You may request this item through Interlibrary Loan at your own library.
Publication Date
2020
First Advisor
Laura A. Katz
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Biological Sciences
Keywords
Testate amoeba, Microorganisms, Ecology, Biogeography
Abstract
Microorganisms make up most of the diversity within the Eukaryotic tree of life, but they remain vastly understudied. The focus of this study, testate amoebae (Arcellinida, Amoebozoa), are one such understudied lineage. Testate amoebae are single-celled, shell-building eukaryotic microorganisms, are important members of their fragile ecosystems and can act as bioindicators for the health of the ecosystem. Since these microorganisms are understudied, in addition to a lack of knowledge on the diversity of testate amoebae, there are also very few data on their distribution. This study aims to elucidate the diversity within Arcellinida, as well as to establish patterns of distribution in two New England bogs. I used a combination of morphological and molecular techniques to assess/evaluate testate amoebae communities. These analyses reveal the considerable heterogeneity within their communities. They also indicate that ecology is a partial driver of community diversity, but to better understand the distribution of these important microbes, future studies might investigate other environmental factors for patterns in distribution.
Rights
2020 Evelyn Grey Elizabeth Hoffman. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Hoffman, Evelyn Grey Elizaabeth, "Ecological distribution of testate amoebae in New England" (2020). Honors Project, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/2224
Smith Only:
Off Campus Download
Comments
39 pages : color illustrations. Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-38)