Project:

DNA barcoding of amphibians and reptiles from Panama

Students:

JieJie Yuan, Mendaka Bineth Abeysekera

Institution:

American Museum of Natural History, Manhattan

Mentors:

Arianna Kuhn

Abstract:

Panama is a hotspot for conservation priorities due to its threatened high biodiversity. Currently, Panama is losing about 14,000 hectares of forested land per year and species may go extinct before they are known. Amphibians and reptiles of Panama have not been documented and extensively examined yet. The amphibians of Panama are also threatened by chytrid fungus, a deadly disease that causes massive die offs around the globe. It is essential to have accurate information on the biodiversity of Panama to develop conservation strategies that can effectively protect its fauna. DNA barcoding can be used to rapidly quantify the biodiversity of unknown regions. In this study we will analyze, using DNA barcoding techniques, ~400 samples of amphibians and reptiles collected in Panama from 2008 – 2012. This study will help quantify and describe the true diversity of Panama’s endemic fauna and contribute to conservation efforts.

Poster:

Team samples: