The document summarizes a study that used DNA barcoding to analyze plant diversity between two beaches on an island. Samples were collected from each beach and DNA was extracted and analyzed. Three plant species were identified from each beach: Calotropis procera, Cynodon dactylon, and Coccoloba uvifera from one beach, and Azadirachta indica, Heteropterys cordifolia, Coccoloba swartzii, and Antigonon leptopus from the other. A Simpson's diversity index analysis found no significant difference in diversity between the beaches based on the small sample size. The study concluded larger samples are needed to make accurate comparisons.

1. DNA Barcode Project:
Beach Diversity
By: Murali Manikkavelu, Sara Almaradweh, Chiamaka Madu,
Gaël Gonzalez-Peltier

2. Table of Contents
❖ Purpose of Study
❖ Hypothesis
❖ Study Design, Methods and Techniques
❖ Bias and Errors
❖ Results
❖ Discussion

3. Purpose of Study
❖ Study Objective:
Utilize DNA barcoding as a tool to enable species identification for scientific,
conservation, and educational purposes
❖ Group 2 Objective:
To determine if there is a difference in species variation of the flora in two opposite ends
of the island

4. Hypothesis
❖ Null Hypothesis: There is no significant difference between the plant diversity of the
two beaches, Ffrye’s and Pigeon Point.
❖ Alternative Hypothesis: There is a significant difference between the plant diversity
of the two beaches, Ffrye’s and Pigeon Point.

5. The Beaches

6. Study Design, Methods and Techniques
❖ 8-10 thumb sized plant samples were collected at Ffrye’s Beach and Pigeon
Point Beach
❖ DNA samples were extracted from each plant after manual grinding, lysing
with a series of different reagents, and precipitation via centrifugation
❖ The extracted DNA was then amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
using rbcLa primers as starting point
❖ The DNA was then visualized through gel electrophoresis to ensure that the
PCR was carried out correctly and yielded viable genetic samples
❖ The DNA samples were sent overseas for further analysis and to determine
the trace sequences

7. The Collection

8. Sample Preparation

9. Analysis shows similarities and differences through DNA decoding software
DNA Subway that can reveal corresponding plant species to DNA sample

10. BOLD software used for plant taxonomy purposes

11. Simpson's Diversity Index is performed to establish significant difference
between two regions
Our objective cannot be adequately discussed due to limited DNA
sequences obtained compounding the small sample size. Future
studies and samples must be obtained for appropriate analysis.

12. Errors and Limitations
❖ Sample size inadequate for meaningful analysis
❖ Manual grinding of material not strong enough for thicker leaves
Encourage future scientists to continue to add samples from beaches

13. RESULTS

14. RESULTS
Ffryes Beach Plant Species Pigeon point beach Plant Species
F1- Calotropis procera P1- Azadirachta indica (neem)
F2- Cynodon dactlyon P3- unknown
F6- Coccoloba uvifera P4- Heteropterys cordifolia (only genus)
F8- Phoenix dactylifera P6- Coccoloba swartzii
P7- Antigonon leptopus

15. Sample F1: Calotropis procera
❖ Native to North Africa, Tropical Africa,
Western Asia , South Asia and Indochina
❖ Contains a toxic milky sap that is bitter
and turns into a gluey coating resistant to
soap
❖ Decoction of plant for treatment of fever,
joint pain, muscular spasms, and digestive
disorders (diarrhea, constipation and
stomach ulcers)
Figure 1a: Picture
taken at Ffryes beach
Figure 1b: Stock image of
Calotropis procera

16. ❖ Commonly known as scutch
grass / bermuda grass
❖ Native to Eastern Africa
❖ Medicinal properties:
➢ Antiviral & Antimicrobial
➢ Eczema
➢ Urticaria
➢ Skin rashes
➢ Constipation
➢ Indigestion
➢ Treat acidity
➢ Immune booster
Figure 2a: Image of Cynodon
dactylon taken at Ffryes Beach
Figure 2b: Stock photo of
Cynodon dactylon
Sample F2: Cynodon dactylon

17. Figure 3a: Image of Coccoloba
uvifera taken at Ffryes Beach
Sample F6: Coccoloba uvifera
Figure 3b: Stock of Coccoloba uvifera
❖ Commonly known as seagrape
❖ Native to coastal beaches throughout
tropical America and the Caribbean
❖ Used to treat dysentery & diarrhea
❖ Applied externally for skin rashes
❖ Antibacterial & antifungal properties

18. Figure 4a: Image of Phoenix
dactylifera taken at Ffryes Beach
Figure 4b: Stock image of Phoenix
dactylifera, verify later
❖ Commonly known as date palm
❖ Dates have been a staple food in
the Middle East & Indus Valley
for thousand of years
❖ Date fruits properties:
➢ Free radical scavenging
➢ Antioxidant
➢ Antimutagenic
➢ Antimicrobial
➢ Anti-inflammatory
➢ Gastroprotective
➢ Hepatoprotective
.
Sample F8: Phoenix dactylifera

19. Figure 5a: Image of Azdirachta indica
taken at Pigeon point
Figure 5b: Stock image of
Azdirachta indica
❖ Native to the Indian
subcontinent
❖ Known for its drought
resistance which allows it to
flourish in Antigua
❖ The neem tree has been used
medicinally in India for
thousands of years.
❖ The neem tree has
antifungal, antibacterial and
sedative properties.
Sample P1: Azadirachta indica (Neem Tree)

20. ❖ Only the genus Heteropterys could be
discerned for this sample since there were
several mismatched base pairs.
❖ Heteropterys comprises more than 140
species of vines, shrubs, and small trees.
❖ It is native to the tropics and subtropics of
the Western Hemisphere.
Figure 7a: Image of Heteropterys
taken at Pigeon Point
Sample P4: Heteropterys

21. Figure 8a: Image of
Coccoloba swartzii taken at
Pigeon point
Figure 8b: Stock image of
Coccoloba swartzii
❖ Coccoloba swartzii is an
evergreen native to the
Caribbean.
❖ It has no known medicinal or
edible properties.
❖ Coccoloba swartzii is a hard,
heavy wood and is used in the
construction of fence posts.
The wood is also used to
make charcoal.
Sample P6: Coccoloba swartzii

22. Figure 9a: Image of Antigonon
leptopus taken at Pigeon point
❖ Antigonon leptopus is
also known as Mexican
creeper and is native to
Mexico.
❖ This species was used by
the Native Americans of
Baja California for
consumption.
❖ Antigonon leptopus is
regarded as a weed and
invasive species in many
parts of the world
including East Africa and
Pacific islands.
Figure 9b: Stock image of
Antigonon leptopus.
Sample P7: Antigonon leptopus

23. Discussion
Simpsons Index of Diversity
The value of 1-D ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (infinite diversity)
D = [ Σ𝑛(𝑛−1) /𝑁(𝑁−1)] , 1-D= Simpson’s Index of Diversity
D= Simpson’s Index
n= number of plants in a given species in a given location (10m^2)
N= number of organisms in all species in a given location (10m^2)
Pigeon Point: D1: 1
Ffryer’s Beach D2: 1

24. Calculations D = [ Σ𝑛(𝑛−1) /𝑁(𝑁−1)]
Species at Ffryer’s Beach
N=4
Number of Plants (n)
within 10 m^2
Species at Pigeon Point
Beach N=4
Number of Plants (n)
within 10m^2
Calotropis procera 1 Azadirachta indica
(neem)
1
Cynodon dactlyon 1 Heteropterys cordifolia 1
Coccoloba uvifera 1 Coccoloba swartzii 1
Phoenix dactylifera 1 Antigognon leptopus 1
Σ𝑛(𝑛−1) 0 0
N(N-1) 4(4-1)= 12 4(4-1)=12
1-D 1-0= 1
Infinite Diversity
1-0= 1
Infinite Diversity

25. Discussion
There is no significant difference in plant species diversity between pigeon point beach
and Ffryes beach. The sample size was very small and unfortunately cannot be an
accurate representation of the population being sampled.
We suggest below that the following be changed in future studies:
From the conclusions drawn from this study, we suggest that if one were to replicate our
study to use a larger sample size and expand the area of research to over 10m^2
If determined that the alternative or null hypothesis is true, that researcher is recommended
to further the research and determine the causation of this species variance or lack of
variance

26. The Team

27. THANK YOU!