Project:

Phylogenetic Relationships Between the Eight Water Fairies

Authors:

Michelle Gu

School:

Ulink College of Suzhou Industrial Park, China

Mentor:

Dr. Jessica A. Talamas

Abstract:

The “Eight Water Fairies” are eight types of edible hydrophyte Suzhou natives enjoy. According to Chinese folk stories, Lu Dongbin, one of the eight immortals, dropped eight magical tools into Taihu Lake, and they changed into eight hydrophytes, which are the eight water fairies. I feel so lucky as a native Suzhou girl to have the precious chance to enjoy these delicacies. However, I always wondered why these florae from eight distinct genus are the eight fairies instead of other species and what is the phylogenetic relationship between them. Luckily, I attended the DNA Barcoding Program of Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center and found my answer.

Poster: