Ant Biodiversity Within the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center Serving as an Indicator of Environmental Pollutants

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical and genetic variations of ants at a former landfill, the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center (HWEC), to infer if the biodiversity of these organisms, and thus the site, has been influenced by potential pollutants present at the center that could harm humans. Methods of phenotypic and genotypic analysis of the ants were used to understand species diversity at the HWEC. Ants are known as an indicator species, which made them viable organisms for use in this study and to view the impact of pollutants on human health. It was hypothesized that the presence of pollutants at the HWEC would be signaled by low ant biodiversity at different collection locations since biodiversity corresponds to ecosystem stability. Ants were collected from three distinct locations at the HWEC. Out of twenty-seven collected ants, twenty were selected for analysis. Using a silica extraction method, DNA was isolated and sequenced from these specimens. After sequencing, ten samples were removed from consideration due to poor results. Sequencing the ants from site 1 resulted in the species Tetramorium caespitum to be found. Ants from site 2 were the most diverse, containing the species Lasius alienus and Lasius neoniger. At site 3, ants returned as the species Tetramorium immigrans. Considering the entire HWEC's biodiversity, the presence of four species of ants suggests high biodiversity, indicating overall stability. Since approximations of this stability came from ant biodiversity measurements and ants are described as excellent bioindicators, it is defended further, supporting the conclusion that there are no harmful pollutants in the center. This refutes this paper's hypothesis, relieving concerns that the status of this specific center (HWEC) as a landfill-turned-park could cause human health issues, and illustrating that ant biodiversity can be indicative of pollutant presence at former landfills.