Project:

Effect of Introduced Flora on Biodiversity of Invertebrates

Students:

Katrina Too, Allison Wong, Gina Nagib

School:

Francis Lewis High School, Queens

Mentors:

Jessica Cohen

Abstract:

DNA Barcoding is the process of analyzing the DNA sequences of species. Previously, scientists used taxonomy keys to classify and discover new species. However, this method relies on physical characteristics, which are subject to change. In the courtyard of Francis Lewis High School, the gardening club plants different plants every spring. It was hypothesized that the introduction of new flora will affect the biodiversity of invertebrates in the area by increasing the number of non-native species. To track the development of the area’s flora overtime, this study spanned for two years. This will be the second year of our long-term study. Last year, multiple species of worms and ants were successfully barcoded and identified to species level. A novel sequence was found in several worms. Invertebrate DNA samples will be collected from the courtyard. A taxonomic key will then be used to predict the species. The DNA will then be isolated, amplified using the PCR machine, and the PCR product

Poster:

Team samples: