Project:

Peconic Estuary Aquatic Invertebrate Sample Collection and Analysis for DNA Barcoding

Students:

Brooke Stimpson, Sarah Benson, Serenity Wiegman

School:

Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Robert Bolen

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to compare the results to prior years and identify any changes in biodiversity and new non-native species which may pose a threat to the ecosystem. To measure biodiversity which is essential for maintaining a stable ecosystem, we will use DNA barcoding. This technique will identify samples up to the species level. The CO1 gene is found in the mitochondria and is the gene used in DNA barcoding studies of invertebrates. This is because the gene is conserved among species but with a good number of differences to identify different species. DNA barcoding will permit the identification of possible indicator species. An indicator species is an organism that reflects the environmental condition in an ecosystem. Organisms that are an indicator of good water quality are insect larvae and nymphs, such as Dragonfly nymphs. They are susceptible to high levels of pollution in the water and because of this, their lifespan is directly related to the health of the water in

Poster:

Team samples: