Characterizing the Metazoan Community of an Undisturbed Cenote of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Authors

Muntadher Mashaan
Fernando Calderon Gutierrez
Danielle Bragg
Gabrielle Vaughn

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

In May 2023, a research team from A&M-SA traveled to the village of Sotuta, Yucatan State (Mexico) to explore, map and sample cenote Tres Rayos for the first time. Sampling efforts were accomplished by trained scientific divers included the collection of aquatic invertebrates, sediment, and water samples. Cenote Tres Rayos is a pit style cave submerged with fresh groundwater that descends to a depth of ~260 ft (~87 m) and located on private land on ~250 acres of undeveloped jungle habitat. In this study, sediment samples were subject to eDNA and processed using genome skimming to evaluate and characterize the diversity of eukaryotes, emphasizing Metazoa (animals). These data will serve as a baseline for the study of groundwater health of cenotes located near urban zones, agricultural and chemical processing plants and other areas of human impact and pollution.

Comments

Studies in Biology
BLH 266

Recommended Citation

Mashaan, Muntadher; Calderon Gutierrez, Fernando; Bragg, Danielle; and Vaughn, Gabrielle, "Characterizing the Metazoan Community of an Undisturbed Cenote of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico" (2024). Student Research Symposium 2024. 29.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/srs_2024/29