Erin Easton

Graduate Student

Biological Oceanography
Major Professor: Dr. David Thistle

Department of Oceanography
Rm 503, OSB
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4320

Research

For my research, I will determine the minimum species range of deep-sea harpacticoid copepods in the Monterey Canyon at depths of approximately 3500 meters. In order to determine these ranges, I extract DNA from the posterior end of morphologically identified harpacticoids. I then PCR-amplify and sequence a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. I use this genetic information to determine if the species has been correctly identified morphologically and to determine their minimum species ranges. If the molecular data does not match the morphological identification, our lab will examine the anterior portion of the harpacticoid to determine why the species was misidentified. Species range information will be useful to the government in determining whether dumping in the ocean is feasible. The molecular data and morphological data can be combined to develop better keys for scientists that study harpacticoids.