Type of Presentation
Event
Location
D1496
Start Date
4-1-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-1-2016 1:15 PM
Abstract
Dragonflies are fascinating insects that can also be good indicators of water quality. However, their widespread use as water quality indicators has been limited because they are very difficult to identify, particularly when they are in their larval “nymph” stage. To better understand dragonflies and promote their use as water quality indicators, we are developing and testing easier and more accurate identification methods that rely on sampling DNA, rather than whole dragonflies. Here we present a preliminary traditional survey from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where adult dragonfly biodiversity show an intriguing correlation with water pH, as well as our initial genetic survey findings. Our future plans for surveying the aquatic habitats on GSU campus this summer will also be discussed.
Presentation File
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Dragonfly Biodiversity: Comparing Traditional and Genetic Survey Methods
D1496
Dragonflies are fascinating insects that can also be good indicators of water quality. However, their widespread use as water quality indicators has been limited because they are very difficult to identify, particularly when they are in their larval “nymph” stage. To better understand dragonflies and promote their use as water quality indicators, we are developing and testing easier and more accurate identification methods that rely on sampling DNA, rather than whole dragonflies. Here we present a preliminary traditional survey from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where adult dragonfly biodiversity show an intriguing correlation with water pH, as well as our initial genetic survey findings. Our future plans for surveying the aquatic habitats on GSU campus this summer will also be discussed.
Other Presentation Disciplines:
Dr. Erin Grey is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Ms. Yuri López is a graduate student in Environmental Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences.