Biodiversity and Systematics

The University has a long tradition of excellence in systematic entomology and morphology. The department's oustanding insect collection has a world-wide reputation for excellence and hosts many international visiting scholars every year. Faculty and graduate students are housed in the Museum of Biological Diversity, a new facility that provides for extensive interaction with systematists in the Ohio Biological Survey and the departments of Zoology and Plant Biology.

Our studies encompass a wide range of levels, from revisions of genera to the examination of relationships among insect orders. Our recent publication and ongoing investigations cover species of Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Mecoptera, Odonata, Acari, and Araneae. Character systems studied include both larval and adult morphology, behavior, and molecular sequence data. Projects in biodiversity studies make use of the best geographic information system and relational database management software and hardware available. Go here to see examples of ongoing projects.