Urban Barcode Research Project Team Michael Tessler
Program:
Urban Barcode Research Project
Year:
2017-18
Research Topic:
Wildlife
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Animals

Project:

Parasites in a bird caught far off course
Students:
Kristina Chen, Anjali Dutt
Institution:
American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn
Mentors:
Michael Tessler

Abstract:

After an individual corncrake ( Crex crex ), somehow made its way to Long Island from Eurasia and was then hit by a car, we were presented with the opportunity to study the parasites that were carried over by the bird. Our main focuses are to identify the species of parasite that was found within the bird, and conclude whether or not it is capable of reproducing and thus creating a new population locally. In order to determine this, we need to sequence the DNA from several genes (e.g., COI and 18S) to determine the identity of the parasite species. We then will conduct BLAST matches and phylogenetic analysis to determine the identity of parasite species. Further we will perform a CT scan of the parasite to determine the genders of the parasite individuals in order to determine whether this group of organisms (presumably transported from Europe) could have been capable of giving rise to a new population locally.

Poster:

DNA Barcoding Poster
View team poster (PDF/PowerPoint)

Team samples: