Project:

Analyzing Diptera Biodiversity Using a C01 Gene in Farmingdale State University

Students:

Sydney Olivio, Victoria Sinnona, Alyssa Malewicz

School:

Long Beach High School,

Mentors:

Kristen Conklin

Abstract:

The ongoing decline in the diversity and biomass of insects and other arthropods has caused great concern among scientists. A decline in diversity can potentially lead to extinction of insects if a natural disaster were to occur. A decrease in biomass is also a great concern, as biomass is used for heating and electricity purposes. Different drivers of community change have created a decrease in biodiversity throughout varying insect environments. These drivers include climate change, land-use change, invasive species, and more. Malaise traps are a crucial part of capturing insect species to be used for DNA barcoding. DNA barcoding is the DNA analysis of specific genetic markers to identify species. Barcoding has the potential to detect and identify important indicator species found in various ecosystems. We plan to collect data by collecting the specimens, isolating DNA, amplifying DNA, analyzing PCR products, and implementing bioinformatics.

Poster:

Team samples: