Research
1st Project Abstract
This study was motivated by the idea that catastrophic events such as Superstorm Sandy could possibly affect the population genetics of Fundulus heteroclitus, more commonly known as the Killifish or the Mummichog. Knowledge of how catastrophic events such as Superstorm Sandy affect ecosystems can be crucial to restoring ecosystems in the future. The Killifish is an Atlantic distributed fish with two distinct haplotypes being a “northern” haplotype for all Killifish north of New Jersey in freshwater or estuarine ecosystems and never south of New Jersey. The “northern” haplotype is known to be more resilient to hypoosmotic habitats (Whitehead, 2009). Samples were collected around New York Harbor for DNA to be extracted and analyzed using the mitochondrial non-coding control region. The conclusion was made that Superstorm Sandy didn’t have any evident effect on the DNA. In addition, it was discovered that either a new species of Fundulus has occurred or that a Fundulus species strictly from the Midwest in freshwater has migrated to the New York Harbor and thrived. Other possibilities include genetic variation, environmental changes, maternal differences, along with other possible reasons. These results show that Superstorm Sandy may not have affected the population genetics of Fundulus Heteroclitus but do show that a new Fundulus species may have been described or that a freshwater species adapted to estuarine and oceanic environments.
2nd Project Abstract (Continuation of 1st project)
This study was motivated by intriguing results found in the mitochondrial non-coding control region in a prior completed project based on Killifish that were collected around the New York Harbor during the Summer of 2019. The intention is to take the mitochondrial barcoding COI region of these unidentified samples to identify them and help determine why there were mismatches in the original non-coding mitochondrial sequences. Morphological traits will also be observed to help identify the Fundulus samples. This information will be used to create range maps, phylogenetic trees, and graphs to represent the data. This information can also be used to help understand how Fundulus migrate and move based on environmental changes.