Host selection and behavioral competition in the parasitic vine, Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii)

April WolfeFollow

University

Shawnee State University

Major

Biomedical Sciences

Student Type

Undergraduate Student

Presentation Types

Poster Presentation

Keywords:

parasitic, tomato, host, competition

Abstract

The parasitic weed, Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii.), is a holo-parasitic vine that does not perform photosynthesis, yet it invades a number of potential host species. The mechanisms responsible for ensuring tight adhesion to the wide variety of host surfaces have yet to be identified. It is understood that Cuscuta gronovii must attach to a host within 10-15 days of sprouting to survive. This research study aims to investigate host selection preferences of Cuscuta gronovii seedlings when presented with plants, both preferred hosts and non-hosts, that have been subjected to prior Cuscuta parasitism and plants that have not. The goals from this analysis, are to bring a greater understanding to the competition mechanisms behind Cuscuta parasitism host selection and how the presence of other previously established individuals influences those.

Human Subjects

no

IRB Approval

no

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Logan Minter

Faculty Mentor Title

Associate Professor of Biology

Faculty Mentor Academic Department

Natural Sciences

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Host selection and behavioral competition in the parasitic vine, Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii)

The parasitic weed, Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii.), is a holo-parasitic vine that does not perform photosynthesis, yet it invades a number of potential host species. The mechanisms responsible for ensuring tight adhesion to the wide variety of host surfaces have yet to be identified. It is understood that Cuscuta gronovii must attach to a host within 10-15 days of sprouting to survive. This research study aims to investigate host selection preferences of Cuscuta gronovii seedlings when presented with plants, both preferred hosts and non-hosts, that have been subjected to prior Cuscuta parasitism and plants that have not. The goals from this analysis, are to bring a greater understanding to the competition mechanisms behind Cuscuta parasitism host selection and how the presence of other previously established individuals influences those.