NEW YORK—Anyone who has lived in New York City has likely encountered at least one cockroach, and for good reason. According to Rockefeller University (RU), the American cockroach, or Periplaneta americana, is one of the most successful species—ever.
Commonly found in almost all major cities, where they thrive on human food waste and readily available water, RU is working to discover the secrets of the insect’s 350 million-year evolution through researching its DNA.
Partnering with the Kronauer Laboratory for Insect Social Evolution, the Program for the Human Environment, and an enthusiastic high school student (whose name was not available at press time), RU wants dead specimens from anywhere in and around New York City and other major cities. The university clarified in an announcement about the project that it makes no difference if the bugs are broken or smashed.
The bugs will be analyzed with DNA barcoding in search of genetic variation and cryptic species.
The project coordinators are particularly interested in the large waterbug, or the American cockroach.
In a letter to the Roosevelt Islander blog, RU researcher Mark Stoeckle said that in NYC, Roosevelt Island cockroaches are of particular interest, as they “may show genetic inbreeding.”
NYC Cockroaches Wanted for Research Project
NEW YORK—Anyone who has lived in New York City has likely encountered at least one cockroach, and for good reason. According to Rockefeller University (RU), the American cockroach, or Periplaneta americana, is one of the most successful species—ever.
7/19/2013
Updated: 7/18/2015
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