Current research activities...
1. NSF Exophthalmus project. Progress to date - we have accumulated more than 100 taxa for the main phylogenetic analysis of Exophthalmus and closely related genera. A Delta template has been set up to faciliate morphological descriptions. This project will be our primary research focus throughout 2008 and 2009. [NMF, JCG & AMV]
2. Redescriptions of critical type taxa in the Entiminae: Eustylini. The latest project focuses on producing detailed redescriptions of critical type species in a complex of related genera including Compsus, Diaprepes, Exophthalmus, Exorides, Pachnaeus, and Lachnopus. [NMF]
Diaprepes abbreviatus (Linnaeus) - the citrus root weevil
3. NSF-BRC: a new infrastructure for invertebrate biodiversity research in Puerto Rico. This project started in March 2008. Follow the project blog. [NMF, Carlos Santos & Nikolaos Schizas]
Unsorted Neotropical Coleoptera stored in the UPRM insect collection (V-2007)
4. Letters to Linnaeus. This is a contribution to a commemorative volume honoring the 250th anniversary of Linnaeus' 10th edition of the Systema naturae. The volume is edited by Sandra Knapp and Quentin Wheeler and supported by the Linnean Society of London. The contributed letter will relate contemporary experiences and thoughts about the role of Linnaean nomenclature. [NMF] Update IX-20-2008: in press in "Letters to Linnaeus".
5. UPRM insect collection – then and now. As a result of a recently completed inventory of the UPRM insect collection, and in collaboration with Zamira Yusseff, I am planning to publish a scientific note on the collection's history and outlook. [NMF] Update IX-20-2008: in press in Entomological News.
Hemipteran types (Cicadidae, Membracidae; J. Ramos) in the UPRM insect collection
6. New language for relationships among taxonomic concepts. In collaboration with Robert Peet (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), I am preparing a manuscript describing a new language to match different taxonomic perspectives, with implications for internet-based taxonomy. [NMF] Update IX-20-2008: in press in Systematics and Biodiversity.
Non-congruent phylogenetic classifications of the Juglandaceae
7. Bees of Greater Puerto Rico. In collaboration with Julio Genaro (York University, Toronto), I am preparing a faunistic overview article on the approximately 35 bee species inhabiting Puerto Rico and surrounding islands. [NMF] Update: Published in Insecta Mundi.
Agapostemon viequesensis Cockerell (Halictidae)
8. Chapter on Curculioninae for the Handbook of Zoology. In collaboration with Roberto Caldara (Italy), I am preparing a manuscript on the systematics and natural history of the weevil subfamily Curculioninae. Each of the approximately 23 recognized curculionine tribes will be treated. The chapter will be included in the upcoming volume on weevils (Curculionoidea) of the longstanding Europe-based series Handbook of Zoology. [NMF] Update VII-20-2008: final draft in preparation.
Cotithene sp., a member of the Curculioninae: Derelomini
9. New erotylid species pollinating Zamia in Puerto Rico. In collaboration with Paul Skelley (Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville) and as a result of a Seed Money project funded by UPRM's Research & Development Center, I am preparing a manuscript describing a new species of pleasing fungus beetle (Erotylidae) in the genus Pharaxonotha Reitter – the main pollinator of Zamia palmferns at the Cambalache and Susúa Reserves in Puerto Rico. This contribution represents the second published record for the erotylid genus in the Caribbean region. [NMF] Update III-12-2008: in press in CJS.
Pharaxonotha sp. (Erotylidae)
10. New species of entimine weevils from Puerto Rico. Field work in Puerto Rican Commonwealth Forests such as Guajataca, Guánica, Maricao, Susúa, and Toro Negro has produced new putative species of Apodrosus, Lachnopus, and other taxa. We are working on a manuscript describing an interesting new species from Guánica with sexually dimorphous elytra and spine-carrying legs which is not readily placed in any of the existing entimine genera. [NMF & JCG] Update IV-20-2008: in press in Neotropical Entomology.
A new entimine from Guánica
New course modules for invertebrate zoology. Thanks to an award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (see abstract), our lab will play a key role in developing new research-oriented modules for introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in invertebrate zoology.