The Short Lab of Systematic Entomology
University of Kansas
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Research in the Short Lab emphasizes revisionary systematics and global surveys of aquatic insects (particularly beetles) that are able to inform both the evolutionary histories (morphological and ecological) of these groups as well as water quality assessment.

Freshwater resources are an integral component of both human and ecosystem health. Surveying the communities of these habitats provide a measure of the health of that system as well providing the raw materials for systematic studies. Currently, the lab is involved in water beetle surveys in Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mongolia.

The Hydrophiloidea (water scavenger beetles) are one of the most ecologically diverse groups of beetles, having mastered many aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The Short lab is particularly interested in identifying and examining the mechanisms and constraints involved in aquatic-terrestrial habitat shifting in this and other groups of Coleoptera.
New(ish) Field Blog:

The Museum has a new feature: field blogging. Now you can follow me here when we go in the field (hopefully). You can read my January posts HERE.

Most Recently Published:

Short, A.E.Z. & M. S. Caterino. 2009. On the validity of habitat as a predictor of genetic structure in aquatic systems: a comparative study using California water beetles. Molecular Ecology 18, 403-414.

Jia, F-L., & A.E.Z. Short. 2009. Description of Hydrobius orientalis sp. n., the first species of the subtribe Hydrobiusina from the Oriental Region (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilini). Aquatic Insects 31, 25-29.
Project Links
MYXOPHAGA
Division of Entomology, 1501 Crestline Drive, Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66049
Last Update: 29 March 2009