Environmental DNA sequencing primers for eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The time it takes to isolate individuals from environmental samples and then extract DNA from each individual is one of the problems with generating molecular data from meiofauna such as eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers. The lack of consistent morphological information and the extreme abundance of these classes makes morphological identification of rare, or even common cryptic taxa a large and unwieldy task. This limits the ability to perform large-scale surveys of the diversity of these organisms.</p> <p>Here we demonstrate a culture-independent molecular survey approach that enables the generation of large amounts of eutardigrade and bdelloid rotifer sequence data directly from soil. Our PCR primers, specific to the 18s small-subunit rRNA gene, were developed for both eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The developed primers successfully amplified DNA of their target organism from various soil DNA extracts. This was confirmed by both the BLAST similarity searches and phylogenetic analyses. Tardigrades showed much better phylogenetic resolution than bdelloids. Both groups of organisms exhibited varying levels of endemism.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The development of clade-specific primers for characterizing eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers from environmental samples should greatly increase our ability to characterize the composition of these taxa in environmental samples. Environmental sequencing as shown here differs from other molecular survey methods in that there is no need to pre-isolate the organisms of interest from soil in order to amplify their DNA. The DNA sequences obtained from methods that do not require culturing can be identified post-hoc and placed phylogenetically as additional closely related sequences are obtained from morphologically identified conspecifics. Our non-cultured environmental sequence based approach will be able to provide a rapid and large-scale screening of the presence, absence and diversity of Bdelloidea and Eutardigrada in a variety of soils.</p

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 15

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Promoting positive development among youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds: The case of Kicking Goals Together

Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the case of Kicking Goals Together (KGT), a programme that combines a football competition with a life skills education intervention to elicit Positive Youth Development (PYD) outcomes for youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The Holt et al. (2017) model of PYD through sport provided the framework for the analysis of the case. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants comprising six of the programme’s participants and four stakeholders. A deductive-inductive content analysis was used to explore the individuals’ perceptions and experiences, the PYD outcomes, and the climate and implicit and explicit processes that related to these outcomes. Findings The KGT climate supported the making of new friends and meeting new people; provided supportive relationships with adults; while participants described parents as being proud, supportive, but distanced. Personal outcomes related to PYD included increased confidence, improved networking skills, and enhanced employment opportunities. The social outcomes included improved communication, development of intercultural understanding and acceptance, improved teamwork and leadership, and a greater sense of belonging to a wider and more inclusive community. Conclusion Analysis of the findings provided support for the analytical generalisation (Smith, 2018) and value of the Holt et al. (2017) model. Specifically, in highlighting how the structure and climate of the KGT initiative supported PYD outcomes. An environment that celebrated cultural diversity, and where youth had access to adults who were “functional advocates” (Whitley, Massey, & Wilkinson, 2018, p. 121) was identified as key to the achievement of these outcomes