Molecular Identification of Bobcat Parasites in Wisconsin
Abstract
Bobcats (Felis rufus) are a regulated species in Wisconsin requiring special permits for hunting or trapping. The WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors the number and health of these animals on a yearly basis. This research focused exclusively on the identification of parasites found in their gastrointestinal system. Research cohorts from previous years obtained legally harvested bobcat intestines from 115 animals that were donated to WSU from the Wisconsin DNR. Each individual bobcat was labeled with age, gender, and location where harvested. Morphological identification of parasites occurred after staining and mounting each specimen found in the gastrointestinal tract of each individual. Identifications were made for all the nematodes recovered but results were inconclusive for the tapeworms due to minute differences between the specimens. Additionally, previously extracted DNA samples were found to have degraded over time. A new bobcat sample provided us with five new tapeworm specimens. A molecular identification process was determined to be necessary to identify between two tapeworm Genera Taenia and Diphyllobothrium. DNA from individual worms were extracted using the DNeasy kit (Qiagen). Samples were then amplified using primers specific to Genera before being visualized using gel electrophoresis. Molecular sequencing from known tapeworm samples are currently being analyzed to provide a reference for the unknowns.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Kimberly Bates
Start Date
4-19-2023 10:00 AM
End Date
4-19-2023 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
14
Molecular Identification of Bobcat Parasites in Wisconsin
Bobcats (Felis rufus) are a regulated species in Wisconsin requiring special permits for hunting or trapping. The WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors the number and health of these animals on a yearly basis. This research focused exclusively on the identification of parasites found in their gastrointestinal system. Research cohorts from previous years obtained legally harvested bobcat intestines from 115 animals that were donated to WSU from the Wisconsin DNR. Each individual bobcat was labeled with age, gender, and location where harvested. Morphological identification of parasites occurred after staining and mounting each specimen found in the gastrointestinal tract of each individual. Identifications were made for all the nematodes recovered but results were inconclusive for the tapeworms due to minute differences between the specimens. Additionally, previously extracted DNA samples were found to have degraded over time. A new bobcat sample provided us with five new tapeworm specimens. A molecular identification process was determined to be necessary to identify between two tapeworm Genera Taenia and Diphyllobothrium. DNA from individual worms were extracted using the DNeasy kit (Qiagen). Samples were then amplified using primers specific to Genera before being visualized using gel electrophoresis. Molecular sequencing from known tapeworm samples are currently being analyzed to provide a reference for the unknowns.
