Date of Award

Fall 1999

Document Type

Legacy Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Biology

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Stephen P. Bush

Abstract/Description

Epiphytes are important ecological components in the world's tropical forests, comprising approximately 13% of vascular plants. This study concentrates on the epiphytic orchid, Epidendrum conopseum, ranging in the United States from southeastern North Carolina to southern Florida, and as far west as Louisiana. DNA from four populations of E. conopseum were analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Four primers, producing seven polymorphic bands, were applied to 32 individual plants. One purpose of this study is to examine clonal growth in E. conopseum. Another goal is to determine the genetic structuring of plants within and among trees, using the SAS test.

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