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	Home Upcoming Events Institutions & Organizations People Bays & Estuaries Reefs, Banks & Islands Environmental Issues General Facts about the Gulf Exploration History Other Online Resources Electronic Books Mexican Coral Reef Species Checklist InfoHub Site Search:		Dr. Patrick Larkin Photo provided by Patrick Larkin Dr. Larkin's research focuses on the chemistry and genetics of native plant species, in particular their interaction with their environment and response to habitat fragmentation. This includes both specific events, such as the effect of temperature on the expression of allelic variants of a single gene and broader events, such as the genetic relationships among populations in fragmented habitats. Some of the plant species studied include rice (Oryza sativa L.), shoalgrass (Halodule beaudettei), turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) bundleflower (Desmanthus virgatus) and Kleberg's bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum). While rice is a cultivated starch crop, Halodule and Thalassia are seagrasses (marine angiosperms), Desmanthus is a terrestrial legume and Dichanthium is an invasive grass species. Seagrasses are of interest because of the significant ecological role they play in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Desmanthus is valuable as a native forage species for both livestock and wildlife, and for its ability to return nitrogen to the soil. Little is known about the chemistry and molecular genetics of most native plant species, though they often provide a significant number of benefits to wildlife, livestock and human populations. Our research involves characterization of genomic, mitochondrial, ribosomal and chloroplast DNA variation through DNA sequencing and the development of DNA fingerprinting techniques such as Amplified restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and Microsatellite and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) assays. Molecular genetic, habitat and environmental data are analyzed statistically to examine the importance of genetic diversity, gene flow, habitat fragmentation and associated environmental variables on native plant populations. We believe such information can aid both resource management and our understanding of how plants interact with their environment. Institution(s) / Organization(s): Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), Texas A&M University (TAMU) Education: B.S. Biochemistry, University of Iowa, USA, 1989 Ph.D. Biochemistry, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA, 1999 Area of Expertise / Interest: Seagrasses, Plant Biochemistry, Molecular Ecology, Chemical Ecology, Conservation Genetics Preferred Language:   English Mailing Address: Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412 USA Telephone: +1 361-825-3258 Fax: +1 361-825-3719 E-mail: patrick.larkin@tamucc.edu Home Page URL:   http://pens.tamucc.edu/faculty/Larkin/index.htm Keywords:   Seagrass, Plant biochemistry, Molecular ecology, Chemical ecology, Conservation genetics
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