Evolutionary biology and systematics of arthropods

目的：探索和分析节肢动物物种和群落的多样性和进化，特别是森林凋落叶中的食腐甲虫，以及地理岛屿和栖息地岛屿（如洞穴）上的动物组合。岛屿和洞穴被选择作为复制“简单”社区的频繁重复的自然实验。方法：我使用广泛的实地工作来收集有关节肢动物物种存在的数据，以及它们的生命周期、栖息地偏好、行为、生态等。该方法提供了一个分类数据库，旨在测试和补充一般的生态和进化理论，以及产生和测试关于物种和群落起源和组织的新假设。实验室和博物馆研究准备系统的审查和修订的文件模式的生物多样性（包括生化方法）。意义：本研究为森林凋落物、洞穴和岛屿中节肢动物多样性的基线记录做出了贡献。节肢动物是生命中最多样化的一门，我认为我们对每个物种的节肢动物了解最少。关于生态和进化的模式和进程的概括性将通过节肢动物的数据和试验进一步加强。我的工作保存了正在消失的热带节肢动物生物多样性的样本，并提供了测量干扰影响的标准，就像在加拉帕戈斯群岛一样。自1989年以来，我在那里的工作通过创新的采样方法，为岛上已知的动物群增加了约900种昆虫（占总数的50%）。最后，研究涉及和支持各级学生，并有助于他们的培训，以满足进一步的科学人才需求。学生的项目通常以应用或保护为导向。

Objectives: I explore and analyze diversity and evolution of species and communities of arthropods, especially scavenging beetles in forest leaf-litter, and faunal  assemblages on geographic islands and in habitat islands such as caves.  Islands and caves are chosen as frequently repeated natural experiments in replicating "simple" communities. Approach:  I use extensive field work to gather data on the presence of arthropod species, and their life cycles, habitat preferences, behaviour, ecology, etc. The approach provides a taxonomic data-base, and is aimed at testing and supplementing general ecological and evolutionary theory as well as generating and testing new hypotheses of species and community origin and organization.  Laboratory and museum study prepares systematic reviews and revisions to document patterns of biodiversity (including biochemical methods).   Significance: The work contributes to baseline documentation of arthropod diversity in forest-litter, caves, and islands.  Arthropods are life's most diverse phylum, and I contend that we know the least about arthropods on a per-species basis.  Generalities on patterns and processes in ecology and evolution will be further strengthened with data and tests from arthropods.  My work preserves samples of vanishing tropical arthropod biodiversity, and gives a standard for measuring disturbance impact, as in the Galapagos Islands.  Since 1989, my work there has added some 900 insect species (50% of the total) to the known fauna of the islands through innovative sampling methodologies.  Lastly, the research involves and supports students at all levels, and contributes to their training to meet further scientific manpower needs.  Student projects often have an applied or conservation orientation.