Kipling W. Will    
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 RESEARCH INTERESTS

   My research interests center on the systematics, integrative-taxonomy and natural history of insects. I use a broad range of data types (morphology, DNA, behaviors, etc.) to develop phylogenetic hypotheses. These data contribute to monographic revisions that include the description of new species and development of keys for identification. Understanding all aspects of the study taxon and development of phylogenetic hypotheses for the group worldwide is an essential part of my research, this naturally leads to many avenues of inquiry that address more general questions in biology.

I intend my research to further the cause of systematics, which I believe is to expand our knowledge and understanding of the natural world and provide necessary basic knowledge for other biological studies. In order to develop a broader understanding of insects I emphasize field work and observation of the living animals whenever possible.

My focus and model taxon is the carabid beetle family (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and my work cuts across all taxonomic levels from species to subfamilies. See http://www.tolweb.org/harpalinae

NSF funded REV-SYS and various Monographic works:

I have a number of species-level revisions underway including taxa in various genera in Australian and South American Loxandrini. Higher-level research includes genera of pterostichites and the major clades of the family that are usually classified at tribal or subtribal level. Within North America I am working on a revision of Pterostichus (Hypherpes) a group that has its center of diversity in California, with over 60 of the nearly 100 described forms endemic to the state.

Chemical defense systems:

All ground beetles and other adephagan beetles have paired pygidial glands that produce a wide variety of chemical compounds thought to primarily act as a defense against predators. I am working with chemical laboratories at Steven University, Hoboken to identify the primary compounds produced in all major groups of ground beetles, biosynthetic pathways of selected compounds. Compounds identified can be used as characters in phylogenetic analyses, examined in terms of behavior, evolution and the possible influences of ecology on stasis and shifting of major chemical compounds in lineages.

NSF funded BS&I in temperate Chilean forest.

In collaboration with E.Arias of the Essig Museum I am conducting a three year survey of various arthropod groups in Chile. http://www.coleopterosdechile.cl/.