Title
Molecular Analysis of the Intestinal Microbial Community in an Herbivorous Snail, Caracolus Caracolla
Document Type
Grant Proposal
Date Accepted
Spring 2011
Project Description/Abstract
Microbial communities in the intestinal tracts of animals are often important for digestion, especially of plant matter. Knowledge of these communities is critical for an understanding of physiology and complex interactions among species. Moreover, the discovery of new microbes inhabiting the intestines of animals may provide tangible benefits to humans, such as promising new antimicrobial drugs. Nevertheless, microbial communities of most invertebrates are poorly understood. We propose to use a variety of molecular techniques to characterize the bacterial microflora inhabiting the intestines of Caracolus caracolla, a large and abundant snail in montane rain forests of Puerto Rico. Using these data, we will then evaluate how microbial communities in C. caracolla differ among snails collected from different habitats.
Recommended Citation
Mendell, Jennifer E. and Bloch, Christopher P. (2011). Molecular Analysis of the Intestinal Microbial Community in an Herbivorous Snail, Caracolus Caracolla. Faculty and Librarian Research Grants (FLRG). Item 6.
https://vc.bridgew.edu/flrg_grant/6