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About the Spider Lab

Our research is largely taxonomic with a focus on uncovering the spider biodiversity within terrestrial habitats in Eastern US. Our current research uses morphological and genetic differences to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among spiders. We largely work on cave spiders and small spiders within the family Linyphiidae, subfamily Erigoninae. 

Education of the PI

1998 - 2002

University of North Florida

BS Biology

2004 - 2010

Old Dominion University

PhD Ecology

Students

The University of Indianapolis does not have a biology graduate program so all of my students are either undergraduates or graduate students in other programs.

James1.jpg

James Bertaux

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Casey Venable and Polaris Neuhauser

Allena Gelfius

Main Collaborators and Associated Studies

Dr. Michael Draney (University of Wisconsin, Green Bay)

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  • A revision of the spider genus, Epiceraticelus (Publication here)

  • The spider biodiversity within the Savannah River Site, South Carolina (in progress)

Dr. Julian Lewis (Lewis & Associates LLC, Cave, Karst and Groundwater Biological Consulting)

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  • Karst sinkholes as foci of biodiversity in the Hoosier National Forest (Publication here).

  • Spider species richness and abundance in the Hoosier National Forest (in progress).

Dr. Kirk Zigler (The University of the South)

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  • Two new Nesticus Thorell, 1869 (Araneae: Nesticidae) from caves in northwest Georgia, USA. (Publication here).

  • Biodiversity from caves and other subterranean habitats of Georgia, USA. (Publication here).

  • Egg sacs of Liocranoides Keyserling,
    1881 (Araneae: Zoropsidae) cave spiders. (Publication here).

Dr. Joshua Campbell (USDA)

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  • Spider (Araneae) abundance and species richness comparison between native wildflower plantings and fallow controls in intensively managed agricultural areas. (Publication here).

  • Prescribed fire and other fuel-reduction treatments alter ground spider assemblages in a Southern Appalachian hardwood forest. (Publication here).

  • Spiders of the Mojave desert (in progress).

Dr. Leslie Bishop (ex-Earlham College)

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  • A survey of spider diversity in Morgan-Monroe / Yellowwood State Forest. (Publication here).

  • Results of the Indiana Forest Alliance Ecoblitz at Morgan-Monroe / Yellowwood State Forest in Indiana. (Publication here).

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