Project:

A Longitudinal DNA Barcoding Investigation of Mosquito Biodiversity in Long Island as a Factor of Temperature Rise Caused by Glo

Students:

Shayan Joarder, Sabrina Johnson, Kevin Maher, Ahmed Hamdan

School:

Plainedge High School, Nassau

Mentors:

William Bertolotti

Abstract:

Given the potential health risks that mosquitoes pose to humans in the form of Zika and West Nile Virus, an investigation into how global climate change is influencing the geographic range and prevalence is warranted. We propose to deploy mosquito traps from May to October and track the number of mosquitoes captured and the percentage-representation of different species of mosquitoes. Species will be identified taxonomically and through DNA barcoding. Comparing across several years’ of data, we expect to find that mosquito seasons are lengthening and that certain mosquitoes are being displaced from their habitats.

Poster:

Team samples: