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Environmental Factors Affecting Rhizophydiales Sp. Infecting Planktothrix Spp.

Wagner, Ryan Scott
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5197-4230
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1652098627549824

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Grand Lake St. Marys (GLSM) is a lake located in western Ohio, USA and is utilized for recreation, boating, fishing, and swimming. GLSM is a regionally important center for tourism and recreation bringing in nearly $150 million in annual revenue, but after three years of algal blooms and public health advisories, water-based recreation has reduced significantly in the region. Summer cyanobacterial blooms thrive due to both external and internal loading of phosphorus and are of great concern given that the city of Celina uses the lake as a water source for their community. Planktothrix agardhii, which dominates GLSM, can produce microcystin toxins that are known to be harmful to humans and animals. It is important that we understand the mechanisms driving and influencing these blooms. In this study, we examine Chytridiomycota (chytrids) and how these aquatic fungi can infect P. agardhii blooms. Rhizophydium sp. are known obligate parasites to Planktothrix, and these species have been found and isolated from the waters of Sandusky Bay (McKindles et al. 2021a). We investigated the spatial distribution of infections along with the effect that turbulence has on infectivity. Results of in-lake mesocosms, coupled with lab experiments, suggest that low levels of water turbulence can significantly reduce the infectivity of chytrids. Furthermore, infectivity is dependent on water temperature. Understanding different environmental conditions and the effect they have on infectivity provides valuable insights into controlling factors that may be limiting chytrid pathogenesis.
Christopher Ward, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
R. Michael McKay, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
George Bullerjahn, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
68 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Freshwater Ecology; Limnology; Microbiology
Planktothrix; chytrid; harmful algal blooms; parasitology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wagner, R. S. (2022). Environmental Factors Affecting Rhizophydiales Sp. Infecting Planktothrix Spp. [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1652098627549824

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wagner, Ryan. Environmental Factors Affecting Rhizophydiales Sp. Infecting Planktothrix Spp. 2022. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1652098627549824.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wagner, Ryan. "Environmental Factors Affecting Rhizophydiales Sp. Infecting Planktothrix Spp." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1652098627549824

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1652098627549824
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© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.