Project:

Peconic River Barcoding of Macroinvertebrates

Students:

Mary Ergul, Benjamin Grimmett, Leah Riker

School:

Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Robert Bolen

Abstract:

At Forge Pond, our seining site, we plan to sort out and use seine nets and dip nets to catch many different freshwater aquatic macroinvertebrate organisms. Forge Pond is a section of the Peconic River Estuary that leads into the Peconic Estuary. Around the pond, we will find many organisms hiding in low-lying wetlands areas. Many underwater plants provide a huge habitat for specimens, contributing to their biodiversity. Tracking the data from DNA barcoding can help identify population patterns and may help figure out a way to protect biodiversity. DNA Barcoding is a test on the genetic makeup of a specimen. We will be using the CO1 gene for DNA barcoding, which has been proven to be a reliable source of identifying species and relationships. The goal is to help us identify different species so that we can measure biodiversity in the Peconic River estuary.

Poster:

Team samples: