Project:

The Effect of Lasius emarginatus (ManhattANT) on the Biodiversity of Formicidae in areas of Long Island using DNA Barcoding

Students:

Baran Eriskin, Rohan Joseph

School:

Commack High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Jeanette Collette

Abstract:

Biodiversity is an important measure of overall ecological health. Recently, an invasive ant species, L. emarginatus, or the ManhattAnt, has spread rapidly in New York City, and is now spreading to Long Island. L. emarginatus thrives in urban areas with man-made structures, making the western part of Long Island an ideal habitat. It also outcompetes native species, harming the ecosystem. We plan to study its effect on biodiversity on Long Island, using Dna barcoding to identify collected ant species. We will collect ants in Roosevelt Field Mall in Nassau County, where we expect to see a large number of L. emarginatus, and Mayfair Shopping Center in Suffolk County, where L. emarginatus has not spread yet. We expect to find that there is less biodiversity in areas with L. emarginatus, than areas without them, because in New York CIty, they have been shown to outcompete native ants.