Research Projects and Interests

The central focus of my dissertation research has been the phylogenetic analysis of the dung beetle genus Phanaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).  This research tests the relationships among Phanaeus species, with special attention to previously proposed species groups.  In addition, I am testing Edmonds' (1994) hypotheses concerning the biogeographic origin of the group as well as their speciation and expansion into Central and North America.

In Central New Jersey (Hutcheson Memorial Forest Research Center) I have conducted two projects dealing with the species diversity and food preference (coprophagous vs. necrophagaous) of scarabaeoid dung beetles.  I am interested in continuing local biodiversity studies, species lists, ecotonal studies and an examination of how introduced species effect native populations.  Dung beetles in particular have been subject to many introductions within the United States.  Unfortunately, we are just starting to see the effects of these introductions. 

Beyond my dissertation work, I would like to continue researching the Phanaeus group.  Many species within Phanaeus have a high intraspecific variation in color.  For this reason there has been much controversy as to the number of subspecies within the genus.  Colors can range within a species  from reddish-maroon, to green, to blue-black.  I am interested in studying their population genetics as well as their behavioral ecology.  In addition to population studies I am interested in determining factors dealing with species recognition and mate recognition.  

There are many publications dealing with the behavior of dung beetles, however, the phylogenetics of these beetles is still in its infancy.  I would like to continue working with dung beetles as a group by answering questions about their behavioral evolution and phylogeography.  For future projects I am interested in exploring the molecular evolution of the Phanaeini tribe (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).  In collaboration with Federico Ocampo (Univ. of Nebraska), Sacha Spector (AMNH), and Rob DeSalle (AMNH), we are currently writing an NSF grant to examine the relationships among Phanaeini and Eucraniini.

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of Natural History), I am working with John LaPolla (Townson Univ.) and Ted Schultz (NMNH) on a project to examine  the species diversity of dung beetles and ants collected in three locations within French Guiana.  Both ants and dung beetles have been used as biodiversity indicator taxa and may be used in the future as focal taxa for the entire biota of a given region for conservation efforts.