Project:

Beetle Barcoding

Students:

Harry Murphy, Anthony Scarpello

School:

Long Beach High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Cody Onufrock

Abstract:

Beetles are the most diverse species on the planet. Approximately 40% of all known insect species are beetles. It is essential that we classify them so we can fully understand the complex species. Beetles are surprisingly versatile animals who live everywhere on Earth except for the cold polar regions. Beetles are crucial to the ecosystem because of their decomposing abilities. Some are considered agricultural pests. This project intends to DNA barcode at least 20 different species. DNA barcoding is a technique that involves sequencing the COI gene of individuals and comparing that to known samples in order to correctly identify the species. Samples will be collected in Long Beach NY, a unique New England barrier island ecosystem.

Poster:

Team samples: