Sample information

This arthropod was collected by a school building, near a tree. The surrounding area was grassy and shady, with some leaves on the ground. The arthropod was seen crawling on the tree trunk around 9:00 am. It was overcast and 64 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Some ants were also seen on the tree trunk.

Methods

Wolbachia Gel Electrophoresis Lanes:

Lanes 1-3 – Empty

Lane 4 – DNA ladder

Lane 5 – Winged arthropod 1 (Typical mosquito)

Lane 6 – Winged arthropod 2 (F-winged barklouse)

Lane 7 – Wingless arthropod 1 (Praying mantis)

Lane 8 – Wingless arthropod 2 (Argentine ant)

Lane 9 – Positive arthropod control

Lane 10 – Negative arthropod control

Lane 11 – Positive DNA control

Lane 12 – Negative DNA control (sterile water)

Lanes 13-15 – Empty

Wolbachia Gel Electrophoresis Analysis:

Both the arthropod and DNA controls worked, meaning DNA extraction, Wolbachia PCR, and the Wolbachia gel electrophoresis were successful. Lane 5, containing the typical mosquito DNA, did not show any bands, meaning Wolbachia was not present in the arthropod.

Arthropod Gel Electrophoresis Lanes:

Lanes 1-3 – Empty

Lane 4 – DNA ladder

Lane 5 – Winged arthropod 1 (Typical mosquito)

Lane 6 – Winged arthropod 2 (F-winged barklouse)

Lane 7 – Wingless arthropod 1 (Praying mantis)

Lane 8 – Wingless arthropod 2 (Argentine ant)

Lane 9 – Positive arthropod control

Lane 10 – Negative arthropod control

Lane 11 – Positive DNA control

Lane 12 – Negative DNA control (sterile water)

Lanes 13-15 – Empty

Arthropod Gel Electrophoresis Analysis:

Besides the DNA ladder, no banding was present, including in the controls. Since the positive arthropod and positive DNA control worked in the Wolbachia gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction and Wolbachia PCR were likely successful. Errors were likely made during arthropod PCR since the DNA ladder was successfully visualized, indicating that gel electrophoresis was successful.

Results

The controls in the Wolbachia gel electrophoresis worked as expected, and there were no surprising bands on the Wolbachia gel. However, in the arthropod gel, no results were observed other than the banding from the DNA ladder. Since the Wolbachia controls yielded expected results, DNA extraction was likely successful, meaning Wolbachia is likely not present in this arthropod, but since no banding appeared in the arthropod gel the results are not certain.