Date of Award
Spring 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS) in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Grover Brown
Abstract
The Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) holds a remarkable position in North American amphibian biology, with its range extending from the Arctic Circle down to the near sub-tropical southeastern United States. This thesis presents a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (qPCR) primer specific to L. sylvaticus and a survey effort regarding the southernmost distribution and detection of this species in Alabama through the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling techniques. By investigating historical data and employing advanced genetic methodologies, this research provides insights into the contemporary status and distribution of the Wood Frog. This research is important to shed light on its adaptability to changing climates and habitats of a presumably thermosensitive species.
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Bioinformatics Commons, Genetics Commons, Molecular Genetics Commons, Other Genetics and Genomics Commons, Population Biology Commons, Zoology Commons