Cataloguing Biodiversity Through DNA Barcoding

Traditionally, the classification of species has been done morphologically, via observation of phenotype, niche, and reproductive ability. Insects in particular are still widely unclassified due to high instances of morphospecies and mimicry. With the advance of molecular techniques, particularly DNA barcoding, we are able to genetically classify individual organisms via comparing the sequence of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (CO-1) gene between individuals. By categorizing species of flies obtained from the Living Roof of the San Francisco California Academy of Sciences, we are able to differentiate native and non-native species, giving us perspective on their changing population numbers over time. In order to do this we use three main techniques: DNA extraction, DNA amplification via PCR, and Sanger sequencing. PCR was done using universal CO-1 primers and verified with gel electrophoresis, and data analysis was done using Sequencher 3.0, ClustalX, and TreeViewX. Once all data is collected and analyzed, it will be uploaded to Barcode of Life Data Systems, an online DNA barcoding database. Our analysis will give us perspective on the changing diversity of flies in San Francisco. In addition, adding information to the database will facilitate future research in species diversity for many years to come.