Project:

The Use of DNA Barcoding Techinques to Determine Biodiversity of Ants in Kissena Park, Fresh Meadows, New York

Students:

Joseph Pasqualicchio, Kevin Naska, Hao Ze Lin

School:

Francis Lewis, Queens

Mentors:

Jessica Cohen

Abstract:

Biodiversity is one of the most important foundations of a healthy ecosystem. Recently, the discovery of DNA Barcoding has been proven to be a source of a great amount of information about the biodiversity of a particular area. Ants are an intricate part of an ecosystem. They exist by the thousands in communities, and have direct impacts on soil, plants, and other organisms. Kissena Park is a diverse park located in Queens, New York including a large lake ecosystem including snapping turtles, ducks, herons, egrets, and gallinules. Kissena Park does not have much published information on the biodiversity in the area, especially with regard to the ant population. By seeing how many ant species have developed or made their way into Queens as an invasive species, it will further elucidate the question as to the effect invasive species have on native species, plant species, and the ecosystem.

Poster:

Team samples: