These two scans are of ascomycete rDNA that has been specifically amplified out of: (upper) a sample of naturally decaying leaf blades of smooth cordgrass from GCE/LTER Station 6 on Sapelo; (lower) mycelium of a pure culture of Phaeosphaeria spartinicola. The amplicons were enzyme-cleaved in a standard way such that several fragments of DNA resulted. The terminal fragment of the digest contained a fluorescent tag. The digest was separated into its component fragments by electrophoresis, and the gel was then scanned for fluorescence. Each species will have its own particular fluorescent band (shown here as peaks). The P. spartinicola peak (bottom scan) is clearly visible in the scan of the leaves from the marsh. Both excellent DNA-tech research and figure preparation courtesy Alison Buchan (laboratory of Mary Ann Moran).