Barcode Long Island Team The Fantastic Flatworms
Program:
Barcode Long Island
Year:
2018-19
Research Topic:
Biodiversity & trade
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Animals: Invertebrate

Project:

Using DNA Barcoding to Analyze the Biodiversity of Flatworms in a Riverine Ecosystem
Students:
Lauren Acevedo, Saniyyah Pitner
School:
William Floyd High School, Suffolk
Mentors:
Victoria D'Ambrosia

Abstract:

The Forge River is a highly polluted riverine ecosystem. The unstable geomorphology of Fire Island and Westhampton Beach has also affected the oceanographic conditions of the Forge River and consequently on its biological community (Swanson & Brownawell & Wilson, 2010). This project aims to analyze the biodiversity of flatworms throughout this riverine ecosystem due to their ecological importance and impact on human health. This will be done by analyzing the COI gene using DNA Barcoding. It is expected that the biodiversity of flatworms will be similar throughout the river due to organic matter and nutrient pollution present.

Poster:

DNA Barcoding Poster
View team poster (PDF/PowerPoint)

Team samples: