Sample information

The arthropod has six legs and two antennae. The arthropod is also multicolored and was observed crawling. The end of its abdomen is curled. It was collected around 9:00 am in 64 degree Fahrenheit weather, with overcast skies. The arthropod was found near a pile of leaves by a gutter. Other arthropods were present in the leaves but not collected.

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 – (+) Arthropod control

Lane 10 – (-) Arthropod control

Lane 11 – (+) DNA control

Lane 12 – Water control

Wolbachia Gel Electrophoresis Analysis:

Both the arthropod and DNA controls worked, meaning DNA extraction, Wolbachia PCR, and the Wolbachia gel electrophoresis were successful. Lane 7, containing the Praying mantis DNA sample 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 – (+) Arthropod control

Lane 10 – (-) Arthropod control

Lane 11 – (+) DNA control

Lane 12 – Water control

Arthropod Gel Electrophoresis Analysis:

The only banding visible was from the DNA ladder. None of the samples or controls showed any banding, meaning an error was made in the procedure. Because the Wolbachia gel electrophoresis was successful and the controls yielded expected results, DNA extraction and Wolbachia PCR were successful, meaning an error was likely made during arthropod PCR.

Results

The arthropod and DNA controls yielded the expected results and no surprising bands were present in the gel. However, the arthropod gel samples and controls did not yield the expected bands, so although the Wolbachia gel results were as expected, it can not be concluded with complete certainty that this arthropod was negative for Wolbachia.