2009 Nature Journal Scholarship for Natural History Research 2009 Scholars (left to right): Iliana Ouzounov, Caitlin Fong, Heather Liu The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History supports education and research in natural history. Museum exhibits stimulate interest, heighten awareness and convey knowledge of natural history. Extensive research collections contribute to knowledge and understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Santa Barbara Region in a global context. Saturdaze is a consortium of artists, writers and teachers that develops natural history websites and Internet courses in biology. Saturdaze is honored to be associated with the Museum whose motto is . . . 2009 Nature Journal Scholarship for Natural History Research: Iliana Ouzounov Scholarship Award: $2,000 Abstract: My current research at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History involves generating and analyzing DNA sequences and learning how to run and troubleshoot PCR reactions. I am currently generating nuclear DNA sequence data for six molecular markers for three different individuals of five beetle species. The markers include two protein coding genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and rudimentary (CAD) along with three introns from nuclear protein coding genes synaptojanin, chitin synthase 1, and guftagu. The DNA sequences from these markers will be used for future research in phylogenetics and phylogeography to look at the degree of sequence variation between individuals within a species as well as among species. The five beetle species that I am working on are Geodercodes latipennis, Nyctoporis carinata, Zarhipis integripennis, Phyllophaga fratern, and Calathus ruficollis. The goal of the project is to create a data set of all the regions targeted from the nuclear genome. The sequence data from these five markers from five different beetle species can be used by other researchers studying beetles to create more specific primer pairs to be used in studies of population genetics, phylogenetics and phylogeography. I am amplifying DNA from each specimen with specific primers designed for each nuclear marker. Each primer pair is different and requires various annealing temperatures and extension times to maximize the results. With each new set of primer pairs I calculate the annealing temperature based on the melting point of the primers. I initially run the PCR using the estimated annealing temperature for 40 cycles. Once the results are visualized through gel electrophoresis, I decide how to troubleshoot the next PCR reaction to optimize my results. One method I have used is called a touchup PCR reaction where the temperature is increased with each cycle, or a touch down were the temperature is lowered with each additional cycle. If those two methods didn't result in a single PCR fragment I also had success directly removing the PCR product from the agarose gel for re-amplification of that specific fragment. This was done by printing an image of the results after electrophoresis and looking for similarity in band size between individuals of the same species. Bands that were similar between species were gel-extracted re-amplified at a high annealing temperature of 60º C to insure specific binding. For example the two protein coding markers PEPCK and CAD worked best using a constant specific annealing temperature followed by gel extraction and re-amplifying at 60º C. For the PEPCK protein coding gene, I was able to amplify DNA from three individuals of Nyctoporis carinata, one Geodercodes latipennis, one Zarhipis integripennis, and two Phyllophaga fraterna specimens. For the CAD gene, I succeeded in amplifying DNA from three individuals of Nyctoporis carinata and Geodercodes latipennis, as well as one Zarhipis integripennis, two Phyllophaga fraterna, and one Calathus ruficollis. The nuclear introns were slightly more difficult to troubleshoot because the different methods yielded very few PCR products. I was able to amplify guftagu for Calathus ruficollis but this research is still in progress. The research that I have been conducting and the data I am currently collecting will be extremely helpful and useful to scientists in future studies. The data give researchers a starting point to develop species-specific primers for their study organism. The data will give an idea of how variable these markers are in different beetles. For phylogenetic studies researchers can look at our results and see how variable each species is among themselves as well as across other genera. Iliana Ouzounov Institution: Santa Barbara City College / Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Major: Biology Advisors: Dr. Michael Caterino and Dr. Maxi Polihronakis Future Profession: Academic Research 2009 Nature Journal Scholarship for Natural History Research: Caitlin Ryan Fong Scholarship Award: $2,000 Abstract: Parynchaemalle sponge larvae display phototactic behavior following spawning, a behavior that is especially unique due to the lack of organs and nerves in the sponge phyla. Most sponge larvae are negatively phototactic, allowing larvae to settle in sheltered safety. However, a Panamanian sponge called Xestospongia proxima has recently been discovered that is positively phototactic. Very little work has been done on this sponge due to its location. However, I am going on a research field trip this summer to explore the nature of this sponge. The study I propose will address two hypotheses: 1.) I hypothesize that Xestospongia proxima sponge larvae are positively phototactic and have two peak light sensitivities, one at 440nm (blue) and 600nm (orange-red). It is important to know the strength and direction of the larva's movement. On my trip to Panama this summer I think it is imperative to do some on-site behavioral assays. To determine the peak sensitivity of the larvae to each wavelength of light, we will present them with a gradient of intensities and determine at which intensity the response asymptotes. Then, we will compare the peak sensitivities of a variety of colors to determine which wavelengths produce the strongest response. This study will give us some idea of their behavior in terms of light choice preference of color and intensity. Understanding an organism's behavior is a cornerstone of biology and especially important when dealing with a new species or behavior. The question this study addresses is one of basic animal behavior and biology. 2.) An ecological study The behavior of an organism should be reflected in its distribution and abundance. I think that it is important to look at where the sponges exist as adults and to determine their distribution pattern. A comparison between sponge distribution, light levels, and larval light preferences will allow us to understand the sponge's life history and ecological choices. Time permitting, I think that it may be interesting to do some transplant experiments with adult and newly settled larvae to determine the ecological and biological restrictions of their distribution. Furthermore, it would be interesting to know what ecological factors drive the positive phototactic behavior that is so different from other sponge larvae. Caitlin Ryan Fong Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara Major: Biology Advisor: Dr. Todd Oakley Future Profession: Research Biologist 2009 Nature Journal Scholarship for Natural History Research: Heather Liu Scholarship Award: $2,000 Abstract: The role of rodents and rabbits in degraded and native adjacent habitats California Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani) are commonly seen throughout California. The habitats in which they live, usually grasslands, have been largely disturbed and degraded by human activities. These anthropogenic disturbances have promoted the invasion of native California grasslands by non-native plant species. Such is the case at UCSB's South Parcel, where I have been conducting research on native and non-native plant-dominated landscapes for the past year. This site has a unique disturbance history due to the removal of the top 3-6 feet of soil to fill in an adjacent wetland for the Ocean Meadows Golf Course in 1965. This site has since been colonized by non-native plants, with small patches of native species and what is suspected to be a dense population of California Ground Squirrels, Brush Rabbits and other rodents. The Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) will be taking over the management of the site and seeks to understand the role that these animals are playing in both the food chain (as food sources for raptors) as well as their role in facilitating or inhibiting the spread of non-native plants through soil disturbance, seed dispersal and seed consumption. My proposed research project is to determine impact of rodents and rabbits on future restoration plans for South Parcel. Previous studies conducted by Van Horne et al. (1997) and Fehmi et al. (2005) on rodent population densities will be used in the experimental design. The relative density of the ground squirrel population will be approximated by conducting multiple 600m transect surveys with ten 5m x 5m plots along its axis. A count of active and inactive burrows will be taken within each plot and mapped with a GPS unit. All data collected will be compared to the adjacent Ellwood Mesa, which largely contains native plants and undisturbed habitats. The density of ground squirrels at South Parcel will also influence the presence of foraging raptors; raptor surveys will be conducted at both sites consistently over the summer and fall. Rodent and rabbit preferences for native or non-native plant seeds are unknown. One method to determine this is to set up seed preference trials. Feeding trays with various seeds from native and non-native plants will be placed along well-used runs on the site. The trays will be surrounded by tracking plates to record the tracks and identify which species are consuming the seeds. Disturbed soil and possibly scat will be collected from the entrances of burrows and spread over potting soil to grow out in the greenhouse. This will help us understand the seed-dispersal ability of these small mammals. Depending on time constraints, the population density measurements, seed preference trials and raptor surveys can also be considered as a range of separate studies. Nevertheless, all three research ideas will help CCBER understand the role of rodents and rabbits in disturbed versus undisturbed ecosystems. The results will provide guidance for restoration and management of the site in the future. Heather Liu Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara Major: Ecology and Evolution Advisors: Dr. Carla D'Antonio and Dr. Lisa Stratton Future Profession: Research / Restoration Ecologist Above: 2009 Scholars and Advisors. Front Row Scholars (left to right): Iliana Ouzounov, Caitin Ryan Fong, Heather Liu. Back Row Advisors (left to right): Dr. Maxi Polihronakis, Dr. Michael Caterino, Dr. Todd Oakley, Dr. Carla d'Antonio, Dr. Lisa Stratton