Our lab conducts research into the evolution, diversification, and systematics of insects, principally beetles. We take an integrative approach drawing from multiple lines of evidence including molecular, morphological, and ecological data. Field-, lab-, and museum work are integral parts of what we do.
The Manticores and Giant Tigers project
This is an NSF-funded project (NSF DEB# 2208620) investigating the evolutionary history and biogeography of the tiger beetle (Cicindelidae) tribe Manticorini, a group that includes the largest tiger beetles known both within the family and North America. Two new Ph.D. students will be joining the lab in Fall of 2023 to work on the evolution and systematics of the giant tiger beetles: the genus Amblycheila and the night stalking tiger beetles: the genus Omus
Inferring evolutionary history
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Our lab utilizes tailored ultraconserved element (UCE) probe sets to conduct phylogenomic analyses to infer the evolutionary history of lineages of interest. We also use traditional Sanger sequencing and tip-dating approaches where appropriate.
Some of our recent research has focused on resolving relationships among families in the beetle suborder Adephaga, as exemplified by the figure at right from Baca et al. 2021. In addition to constructing phylogenies, we are also interested in understanding drivers of diversification. Why do extreme inequalities in species numbers exist among closely related organisms? Future work is planned for investigating the evolutionary history and diversification of whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae) and manticorine tiger beetles. |
Recent examples:
- Baca, S.M., Gustafson, G.T., Alexander, A.M., Gough, H.M., Toussaint, E.F.A. 2021. Integrative phylogenomics reveals a Permian origin of Adephaga beetles. Systematic Entomology 46 (4): 968–990.
- Gustafson, G.T., S.M. Baca, A. Alexander, A.E.Z. Short. 2020. Phylogenomic analysis of the beetle suborder Adephaga with comparison of tailored and generalized ultraconserved element (UCE) probe performance. Systematic Entomology 45(3): 552–570. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12413
Reconstructing historical biogeography
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Using time-calibrated phylogenies and model-based ancestral range reconstruction we reconstructed the biogeography of particular lineages. This allows to understand how and why species came to be distributed as they are presently.
Examples of previous biogeographic research include investigating the Gondwanan distribution in whirligig beetles of the genus Aulonogyrus. Rather than Gondwanan vicariance, recent Cenozoic dispersal out of Africa best explains the distribution pattern as shown at right in the figure from Gustafson (2018). Future investigations will focus on the biogeography of lineages of Manticorine tiger beetles. |
Recent examples:
- Gustafson, G.T. 2018. Cenozoic out-of-Africa dispersal shaped diversification of the whirligig beetle genus Aulonogyrus (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae: Gyrinini). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 76(2): 295–302.
- Gustafson, G.T. & K.B. Miller. 2017. Systematics and evolution of the whirligig beetle tribe Dineutini (Coleoptera, Gyrinidae, Gyrininae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 181(1): 118 – 150. DOI: DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlw014
Documenting and describing biodiversity
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With the current heightened levels of habitat degradation, climate change, and extinction, documenting and describing biodiversity is more important than ever. A major focus our lab's research is documenting existing biodiversity, describing little known or unknown-to-science species and life stages, as well as identifying unique lineages and biodiversity of conservation concern.
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Recent examples:
- Gustafson, G.T., M.C., Michat, M. Balke. 2020. Burmese amber reveals a new stem lineage of whirligig beetle (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) based on the larval stage. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189: 1232–1248. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz161
- Suksai, B., Gustafson, G.T., Sites, R.W., Sangpradub, N. 2021. Review of the Patrus landaisi species group from Thailand with description of three new species (Coleoptera, Gyrinidae). Zootaxa 4991 (3): 561–591.
