Zachary H. Falin
Collection Manager

Contact Information Division of Entomology, KUNHM/BRC Snow Entomological Collection 1501 Crestline Dr. Suite 140 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66049 e-mail:  ksem@ku.edu phone: 785-864-3034 Fax: 785-864-5260

Research Interests
My doctoral research was a generic-level cladistic analysis and revision of the beetle family Ripiphoridae. While providing much needed insight to the evolutionary history of these beetles, I consider the as yet unpublished results to be preliminary and in need of additional research. Upon satisfactory resolution of the phylogeny, I would like to produce a comprehensive world catalog of the family that reflects these changes and elucidates the many taxonomic issues surrounding this family. I would also like to examine various lineages of ripiphorids in a comparative evolutionary context and begin asking questions involving such topics as host-parasite coevolution, consequences of host switching on speciation, parasite phenology, natural history plasticity, etc.

In addition to my higher level phylogenetic analysis, I am trying to perform much-needed species level revisionary and descriptive work on as many groups of ripiphorids as time allows, collecting and synthesizing information on their hosts, distributions, oviposition preferences and phenologies. In the end, I am interested in most any and every aspect of these fascinating beetles.

Lastly, I am using my position as the Snow Entomological Collection Manager to build a fully data-based representative collection of the beetles of Kansas: the Kansas Coleoptera Collection. Anyone interested in this project can learn more by following this link (coming soon).

Education
Ph.D., Entomology. 2003. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
B.S. with Honors, Entomology. 1992. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Professional Positions
Grants & Awards
Major Field Experience
Publications
Presentations
Professional Affiliations
Links (coming soon)