The Role of Native Arbuscular Mychorrhizal Fungi in the Growth and Survival of Larval Host Plants of the Mariana Eight Spot Butterfly

The Role of Native Arbuscular Mychorrhizal Fungi in the Growth and Survival of Larval Host Plants of the Mariana Eight Spot Butterfly

Zoology, Butterflies, Thesis - Master of Science in Environmental Science

The Mariana Eight Spot Butterfly (MESB), Hypolimnas octocular marianensis, relies on two host plants for at least three stages of its lifecycle, Procris pedunculata and Elatostema calcareum. The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was assessed in the growth and survival of MESB host plants to improve propagation techniques for E. calcareum and further our knowledge on AMF requirements for re-establishment success. Using standard AMF analysis techniques, AMF were found in both host plant species and mean AMF percent colonization of E. calcareum collected Hinapsan, Lost Pond, and Yigo Raceway were calculated: 73.21%, 71.25%, and 41.43%, respectively. Through genetic analysis, AMF isolated from P. pedunculata from Marine Lab and E. calcareum from Lost Pond were found to meet the lower 93% similarity criterion for genus level identification, thus falling within Rhizophagus (94.53%) and Glomus (93.43%) genera, respectively. AMF isolated from P. pedunuclata from Urunao fell below genus level criterion, indicating a novel genus (90.41% similarity to uncultured Glomus) within Glomeromycota. After a three-month growing period of subjecting E. calcareum cuttings to three levels of shade and three inoculum treatments (i.e. control, Lost Pond inoculum, and Yigo Raceway inoculum) in randomized blocks, nonparametric PERMANOVA detected a significant block effect on root length (PERMANOVA, P

Cruz, Maria Lynn Lujan

University Libraries - Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library, University of Guam

2020-05

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University of Guam Thesis Collection

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UOGThesis_CNAS_MC_TheRoleofNative_2020

Dededo & Yigo, Guam