Project:

DNA Barcoding Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in the Peconic River

Students:

Deysi Velasquez, Kayleigh Tedesco, Claire Rubino, Evangeline Wallace

School:

Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Robert Bolen

Abstract:

DNA barcoding will be used to identify organisms and measure biodiversity in the Peconic Estuary. It can also be used to identify any invasive species in the Peconic river. This is being done because the Peconic bay is an important habitat for many species that live there. Humans have large impacts on the river, such as nitrogen pollution and invasive species. Measuring and maintaining biodiversity is very important because it is a key factor for the environment and without biodiversity the environment would become less stable. Organisms will be collected in the freshwater part of the Peconic River using seining nets and handheld nets. Each organism will be put into their own glass vial in 1 ml of 95% ethanol and stored in the freezer. The expected outcome of this experiment is to identify organisms by using DNA barcoding of the COI gene. It is possible to identify organisms that may have never been identified, that are invasive, or are possible biological indicators species. If they a

Poster:

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