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
Current 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.
Elijiah Birtchman - spiders assemblages in creeping juniper habitats
Allena Gelfius - illustration of undescribed Agyneta
Holly LaFlair - COI sequencing of various linyphiid genera
Taylor Stahl - a revision of Liocranoides (Zoropsidae)
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)
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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).
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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).
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Biodiversity from caves and other subterranean habitats of Georgia, USA. (Publication here).
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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).
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Prescribed fire and other fuel-reduction treatments alter ground spider assemblages in a Southern Appalachian hardwood forest. (Publication here).
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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).
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Results of the Indiana Forest Alliance Ecoblitz at Morgan-Monroe / Yellowwood State Forest in Indiana. (Publication here).
Dr. Marshal Hedin (San Diego State U.)
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New species in old mountains: integrative taxonomy reveals ten new species and extensive short-range endemism in Nesticus spiders (Araneae, Nesticidae) from the southern Appalachian Mountains (Publication here).