2018 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Cellular identity, systematics and biogeography of apicomplexan parasites Genotype-N and Gemmocystis infecting coral reefs
| Project/Area Number |
18K14774
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| Research Institution | Hokkaido University |
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Principal Investigator |
WAKEMAN KEVIN 北海道大学, 高等教育推進機構, 助教 (70760221)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | Systematics / Biogeography / Apicomplexa / Parasites / Coral Reefs |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In FY2018 samples were collected from Okinawa. We collected over 150 specimens representing a range of octocoralia and hexacoralia, as specified in the proposal. Specimens were fixed in either ethanol (for further work with DNA) and or buffered paraformaldehyde (for histological observations).
Samples were screened for the parasite using both PCR and by assessing histological sections. Parasites were also isolated from Soft Coral that appeared to be heavily infected with apicomplexans, in order to link morphological observations with molecular sequences that were being obtained.
In total, I was able to identify and reliably find Gemmocystis (Genotype-N) from a range of hard and soft coral samples in Okinawa. This work is currently being prepared for publication in an international journal.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Samples have been collected, and the target parasite can be reliably found and isolated. Molecular work and histological observations are of high quality, and are currently being prepared for publication. Because this work has been progressing as quickly as it has, it has allowed me to collaborate and expand the project to include transcriptomics and genomic sequencing. The main goal with this collaboration is to uncover more about the evolutionary history of the organism and its specific adaptations being associated with coral. Furthermore, as part of the collaboration, we can assess our samples with those collected in the Dutch Caribbean.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In the coming timeframe, I plan to expand my sampling scheme to include other locations within Japan including Kochi and Shimoda. The goal is to understand the distribution of the parasite in Japanese waters. For this, samples will also be PCR-screened and examined using histological sectioning of the tissue. During this time, I also hope to work a bit on the ecology of Gemmocystis (Genotype-N) using tank experiments.
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| Causes of Carryover |
I was able to purchase airline tickets to Okinawa, and rent a car cheaper than expected. In the coming physical year, I was planning using this money to purchase Taq polymerase for PCR. This will allow me to process more samples and improve the overall quality of the project.
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