Document Type
Honors Thesis
Major
Marine Science
Advisor(s)
Lee Karp-Boss, Laurie Connell
Committee Members
R.W. Estela, Joyce Longcore, Robert Wheeler
Graduation Year
May 2020
Publication Date
Spring 5-2020
Abstract
Marine fungi play a crucial role in recycling nutrients and channeling energy to higher trophic levels in the world oceans. Despite their critical role, their distributions and community composition, particularly in the Arctic, are largely unknown. This study reveals depth-related trends of abundance, diversity, and community composition of Arctic marine fungi through analysis of data obtained in the Tara Oceans expedition. With samples from surface (0-50 m), deep chlorophyll max (50-200 m), and mesopelagic (200-1000 m) depths, relative abundance, operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness, and diversity were found to increase as a function of depth. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were found to to be the most dominant OTUs in Arctic water samples. This study provides potential causes for depth-related trends and yields insight into the biogeographic distribution of Arctic marine fungi.
Recommended Citation
Simpson, Bentley E., "A Biogeographical Assessment of Arctic Marine Fungi" (2020). Honors College. 624.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/624