Project:

Developing a non-invasive protocol to extract DNA from Long Island spider exuviae in order to identify spiders through DNA barco

Students:

Isabella DeRosa, Brendan Ackerly

School:

William Floyd High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Luisa McHugh

Abstract:

As biological controls, spiders consume unwanted biological vectors, particularly mosquitoes. Despite their ecological importance, spider populations are declining. A main reason is the destruction of habitats. As a means to document spider populations, spider DNA is used to identify the presence of particular spider species in specific areas. So as to not unnecessarily kill any spiders to determine their populations, this study will explore a less invasive protocol to extract DNA using the spider exuviae and a nitrogen based digestion. The Qiagen Power Soil protocol will be used to isolate the DNA and then the DNA will be analyzed using DNA Subway Blue Line to identify a record the species. It is expected that using liquid nitrogen prior to extracting DNA from the exuviae will yield more DNA than touch DNA sampling alone.

Poster:

Team samples: