The PI is conducting a systematic investigation of the relationship between cyanobacterial mats and microbial biofilms, and small marine worms found to be associated with them. She hypothesizes that the microbial mats are grazed from underneath by the worms. The research aims to 1) ascertain the types of benthic organisms living in association with a modern microbial mat, 2) ascertain the spatial distribution of the benthos relative to the mat, 3) ascertain the preferred feeding location and foodstuff of a particular species of mat-associated worm, and 4) identify and characterize the feeding and fecal traces of mat-associated worms. Results of this investigation will provide insights into modern and ancient mat communities. Modern mats are useful in oil remediation efforts and ancient mats hold clues about the timing and environmental location of the earliest evolution of triploblastic animals.
