A5023756667- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Coleoptera: Cerambycidae studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Mineral Processing and Grinding
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
Laramie County Community College
2021-2022
Brigham Young University
2014-2021
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
2017
Mintek
2010
Opsin proteins are fundamental components of animal vision whose structure largely determines the sensitivity visual pigments to different wavelengths light. Surprisingly little is known about opsin evolution in beetles, even though they most species rich group on Earth and exhibit considerable variation system sensitivities. We reveal patterns across 62 beetle relatives. Our results show that major insect class (SW) typically confers "blue" was lost ~300 million years ago, before origin...
Fireflies and their luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin bioluminescence within beetles remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced genomes two species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: North American Photinus pyralis Japanese Aquatica lateralis. compare bioluminescent origins, also genome a related click beetle, Caribbean Ignelater...
Additional work on the islands of Vanuatu has improved our understanding actual diversity South Pacific coastal fireflies. Prior to recent fieldwork in Vanuatu, only known lampyrid from was Atyphella aphrogeneia (Ballantyne), a species also found Papua New Guinea. After further examination, we determined that specimens formerly classified as actually belong an undescribed species. species, maritimus Saxton and Powell marigenous Bybee, are described collected Vanuatu. An updated key for is provided.
Abstract Fireflies (Lampyridae Rafinesque) are a diverse family of beetles which exhibit an array morphologies including varying antennal and photic organ features. Due in part to their morphological diversity, the classification within Lampyridae has long been flux. Here we use anchored hybrid enrichment approach reconstruct most extensive molecular phylogeny date (436 loci 98 taxa) this evaluate higher-level group. None currently recognized subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic with...
The Biologia Centrali Americana (B.C.A.) is comprised of eight volumes that deal specifically with Coleoptera. These were split into 18 parts and published between 1879 1911. family Lampyridae was treated in two parts, the main text (1881) a supplement (1884). Within volume three, part 2, Gorham lists ~90 species 14 genera, not including Phengodini subfamily. Of these, provided original descriptions for 37 species. During recent research visits (2018 2020) authors able to study material...
We understand very little about the timing and origins of bioluminescence, particularly as a predator avoidance strategy. Understanding its origins, however, can help elucidate evolution this ecologically important signal. Using fireflies, prevalent bioluminescent group where bioluminescence primarily functions aposematic sexual signals, we explore signal in context their potential predators. Divergence time estimations were performed using genomic-scale datasets providing robust estimate...
Lagaropsylla signata (Wahlgren, 1903), previously known only from the Island of Java, Indonesia is redescribed and reported for first time in Deer Cave, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (west coast Borneo). Many were found clinging to earwig Arixenia esau Jordan, 1909. A similar account a phoretic flea (Lagaropsylla turba Smit, 1958) on same species cave-dwelling has been peninsular well-documented association with hairless naked bulldog bat, Cheiromeles torquatus Horsfield,...
Abstract Fireflies and their fascinating luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin bioluminescence remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced genomes two species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: North American Photinus pyralis Japanese Aquatica lateralis. We also genome a related click-beetle, Caribbean Ignelater luminosus, with bioluminescent...
Most organisms are dependent on sensory cues from their environment for survival and reproduction. Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) represent an ideal system studying niche adaptation due to many species relying bioluminescent communication; as well a diversity of ecologies. Here; using transcriptomics; we examine the phototransduction pathway in this non-model organism; provide some first evidence positive selection beyond opsins beetles. Evidence gene duplications within Lampyridae found...
Abstract Bioluminescence is found across the tree of life and has many functions. Yet we understand very little about its timing origins, particularly as a predator avoidance strategy. Understanding between bioluminescence origins yet to be examined can help elucidate evolution this ecologically important aposematic signal. Using most prevalent bioluminescent group, fireflies, where primarily functions sexual signals, for both potential predators fireflies explored. Divergence time...
The subfamily Carpophilinae, in particular the genus Carpophilus Stephens, represents one of most speciose lineages within Nitidulidae. was first recognized by Erichson (1843) a much broader sense, including what is now Cillaeinae. According to Kirejtshuk (2008), there are seven genera and 13 subgenera Carpophilinae. To date, however, no comprehensive tribal or generic phylogenetic reconstructions have been published for subfamily. This work constitutes preliminary stage larger project that...