Applying Bioinformatics to Spider Systematics

Authors: Josh Johnson, Lorena Harris

SUNY Campus: SUNY Schenectady

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 16

Timeslot: Session C 1:45-2:45 PM

Abstract: Spiders, order Araneae, are the seventh most diverse order of all known organisms with over 52,000 species recorded. A variety of techniques are necessary to accurately classify species, as well as identify specimens observed and collected in situ. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze biological data. It has emerged as a critical tool in expanding spider systematics, offering advanced techniques for analyzing genetic data. By integrating molecular approaches with traditional morphological assessments, bioinformatics improves the precision and detail of organism classifications and provides deeper insights into evolutionary relationships at the molecular level. The Cytochrome c oxidase (COX1) gene encodes for an essential enzyme located in the mitochondria, playing a crucial role in the electron transport chain and facilitating the final step of ATP production2. The Subunit COX1 of this enzyme is encoded by mitochondrial DNA, which is exclusively inherited through the maternal line. Mitochondrial DNA exhibits a higher evolutionary rate than nuclear DNA, a low recombination rate, and minimal variation among individuals of the same species. These characteristics make the COX1 gene a valuable genetic marker in systematics. It is widely utilized as a DNA barcode, enabling reliable identification and cataloging of species.