Dr. Carlton

During this third year of funding in support of the beetle Taxonomic Working Group (Twig) we concentrated our efforts on processing the ATBI malaise samples, litter samples, and distributing specimens to cooperators. Of 650 malaise samples held in our lab, 111 (17%) have been processed and the specimens databased (1700 records). An additional 234 samples (36%) are partially processed, and 300 samples (46%) are still waiting. Approximately 60 litter samples have been processed to completion and are represented in the current database by 2700 specimen records. The litter beetle survey will be completed during July 2004 with a dedicated “litter blitz.” Twig cooperator participation involved 17 of the 36 scientist cooperators and examination of approximately 3000 specimens. Twig cooperators generated three publications describing five new species discovered in GSMNP. In total, almost 6300 specimen records are represented in the beetle dataset. We added 260 species to the known beetle diversity of GSMNP, bringing the current tally to 1559 species, including 15 species and at least one genus new to science. Significant additions this year included two families, Cerophytidae and Salpingidae, a possible new genus and species of Mycetophagidae, and a newly introduced Asian shortnosed weevil.

Principal Investigator

PI Name:  Dr. Chris Carlton

PI Organization:  Louisiana State University