Project:

Biodiversity of Spiders in Stuyvesant Square park

Students:

Brayan Zhao, Chelsea Mercado, Nayelis Corcino, Samiha Zaman

School:

Health Professions and Human Services, Manhattan

Mentors:

Rocheli Apilan

Abstract:

Biodiversity is an essential topic to study because it teaches us which creatures may be endangered in our ecosystem. Spiders are an important creature in our environment. They helped balance the interdependence of various species in the ecosystem, thus, it is important to study biodiversity of spiders. In this investigation, the biodiversity of spiders will be determined by using DNA barcoding of the cobwebs found in our respective homes. By using the spider's cobweb, we can get the information without killing or harming the spiders. The process will involve the collection of spiderwebs isolating the DNA, amplifying the DNA, and analyzing PCR products.

Poster:

Team samples: