Date Approved

11-1-2013

Date Posted

7-20-2015

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Biology

Committee Member

Katherine Greenwald, Ph.D., Chair

Committee Member

Margaret Hanes, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Steven Francoeur, Ph.D.

Abstract

Unisexual Ambystoma produce ploidy-variable offspring that differ in survivorship to adulthood. These populations reproduce through kleptogenesis, persisting by stealing genetic material from males of compatible bisexual Ambystoma species (e.g., Jefferson's Salamander A. jeffersonianum, and the Blue-Spotted Salamander A. laterale). Kleptogenesis can result in ploidy-variable embryos within an egg mass because the female may or may not incorporate the male ambystomatid genome. Little is known about the survivorship of ploidy-variable individuals. In previous studies, triploid individuals are the most abundant class, suggesting a greater mortality in high-ploidy (tetraploid and pentaploid) individuals. We assessed the frequency of ploidy levels (determined by microsatellite analysis) across four life stages within a single year: adults, early larvae, late larvae, and metamorphs. We found that, instead of an abrupt change due to individuals dying at or during metamorphosis, there was a gradual decline in tetraploids across all stages as the larvae develop into adults.

Included in

Biology Commons

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