Project:

Comparing the Biodiversity of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Saltwater vs. Freshwater at Garvies Point

Students:

Kasey Miller, Michael Renga, Gabriel Zamudio

School:

Glen Cove High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Kerry Bunyan

Abstract:

Aquatic macroinvertebrates can be defined as any animal without a backbone and can be seen without use of a microscope. Most commonly, the term applies to water bound insects and larva, along with some molluscs and worms (Green Alelaide). They can be found in both saltwater and freshwater and provide a view into workings and general health of an ecosystem. (New York State Parks and Historic Sites- 2016) We collected around 20 samples from the pond and beach at Garvies Point. The measure of the water's pH and salinity was recorded as well. It was our prediction that we would find organisms such as flatworms, stoneflies, mayflies and the larva of larger insects. We predicted we’d find more macroinvertebrates in the freshwater because bugs and insects like mosquitoes tend to live around and lay eggs in freshwater. To identify the aquatic macroinvertebrates we used DNA barcoding to look at their CO1 gene which can identify species because the gene is different for every organism.

Poster:

Team samples: