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Abstract Detail



Molecular Ecology

Harbert, Robert [1], Moore, Grace [2], Cunningham, Seth [3], Tessler, Michael [3].

Paleo-Metagenomics of Late Quaternary Packrat Midden Plant Macrofossils.

Fossilized packrat (Neotoma spp.) middens are powerful tools in paleoecology. In arid regions of North America these materials preserve plant macrofossils for many thousands of years. Plant macrofossils with well-preserved anatomy and original tissues have been instrumental for the study of species migrations, community assembly, and physiology through time. These materials are preserved such that fragments of endogenous ancient DNA (aDNA) can be extracted and sequenced. We explore the use of shotgun metagenomics to identify the DNA obtained from packrat middens up to 32,000 years old from Idaho and Northern Baja California. Eukaryotic taxa identified belonged primarily to vascular plants and chordates. We focus on the plant fraction for comparison with the dominant plant macrofossil component of packrat middens and the importance of vegetation for paleoecology and paleoclimate.


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1 - Stonehill College, Biology Department, 320 Washington St, North Easton, MA, 02357-0001, US
2 - Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA
3 - American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA

Keywords:
metagenomics
packrat midden
Pleistocene
fossil.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Molecular Ecology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PME005
Abstract ID:150
Candidate for Awards:None


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