Do Chaceon Quinquedens Harbor Bacteria in the Hemolymph?

Undergraduate #50
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Simone Catherine Cruz - Hampton University
Co-Author(s): Dr. Indu Sharma, Hampton University, Virginia

The red deepsea crab (Chaceon quinquedens) is primarily found along the Atlantic slope. The in situ habitat of this species is characterized by a high salinity, high pressure, and aphotic zone at a depth of 500-850meter with little to no seasonal variation in temperature. Since 2013, the red crab fishery has contributed to local economy. Therefore, it is important to understand: do the red crab harbour symbiotic microbes in the hemolymph? The hemolymph is a fluid that is equivalent to blood in many invertebrates. To address our question, a minimum of 50 red deep sea crabs will be collected (dock side). The crabs will be kept in a holding tank, at constant temperature of 4°C in surface ocean water brought from the ballast tank of an off shore fishing vessel (F/V). Hemolymph will be collected aseptically and subjected to DNA isolation and PCR amplification using 16S rDNA using V3–V4 primer set. A positive DNA amplification will suggest presence of a microbial symbiont in the hemolymph. We expect a large proportion of crabs to harbour microbial symbionts, and PCR products will be sequenced to identify the microbial symbionts. The results generated from this project will form the basis to address future questions such as “What is the role microbial symbionts in red deep sea crabs?” Future studies will be conducted to reveal whether such microbes can protect host from opportunistic pathogens. Olafsen JA, Mikkelsen HV, Giæver HM, & Høvik Hansen G (1993). Indigenous Bacteria in Hemolymph and Tissues of Marine Bivalves at Low Temperatures. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 59(6), 1848–1854. Canesi L, Gallo G, Gavioli M, Pruzzo C. (2002). Bacteria-hemocyte Interactions and Phagocytosis in Marine Bivalves. Microscopy Research and Technique, 57(6),469-476. Acknowledgement → This work is supported by NSF Award#1601057. Faculty Approval By Dr. Indu Sharma, October 13,2017.

Abstract.docx

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF Award#1601057.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Indu Sharma, Indu.Sharma@hamptonu.edu

Role: In this research project I will be collecting aseptically and subjecting the red deepsea crab to DNA isolation and PCR amplification using 16S rDNA using V3--V4 primer set.